Philippines asks ASEAN vets for support amid expansionist forces

The Philippines has asked its fellow member nations in the ASEAN for "understanding and support" amid expansionist designs that threaten the country's sovereignty and territory.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. made the call in his speech before the General Assembly of the Veterans Confederation of ASEAN Countries (VECONAC).

"We are beset in this country by the force of greater powers seeking to expand their reach and influence into our national sovereignty and territory," Teodoro said.

"And thus, the Philippines struggles once again in accordance with international law, generally accepted principles of law, political and moral foundational precepts in order to secure not ours, but also our future generations prosperity, peace, and freedom," he added.

"Thus, we also seek the understanding and support of our ASEAN brethren, particularly those who have sacrificed their lives, their blood, and their individual futures for a greater good," Teodoro said.

Teodoro didn't mention China in his speech but he said in September that its "expansionist policy" escalated tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

"It is the expansionist policy of China that is actually escalating the tensions not only between us but with Vietnam and other actors,” Teodoro said in a television interview.

“And their 10-dash line actually is the best proof that they want to escalate tensions within the area because now even Brunei is affected and India is affected and Nepal is affected,” he added.

Teodoro pointed out that China did not recognize the Philippines’ 200 nautical miles exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

"The liberty of your countries, the freedom from the use of bigger and mightier countries of brute power in order to force themselves on what is national territory, national sovereignty, and the rights of our future generation," Teodoro said in his speech before the VECONAC.

"That is why in the 60s, five founding members of ASEAN came together and designed a regional architecture that would let ASEAN chart its own course and lead our countries’ peaceful, prosperous, and free to secure our prosperity—the benefits of progress in a peaceful way, free from any aggression and oppression of others. That is what each and every one of you fought for," he added. —NB, GMA Integrated News