What Happened
Manila Prioritizes Territorial Security Amid Regional Tensions
The Philippines’ Secretary of National Defense, Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr, has stated that the country’s security calculus remains unchanged despite the ongoing Iran war, with China still viewed as a significant threat. The Philippines has been more firm against China’s actions in the South China Sea, accusing Beijing of being non-transparent and dishonest in its international engagements. This stance was reported by CNBC.