MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Wednesday rebuffed China’s criticism of the Philippines’ ongoing Balikatan military exercises with the United States and its deepening trade ties with Washington, asserting that freedom of decision-making is a sovereign right.
Speaking in an ambush interview, Teodoro dismissed Beijing’s opposition to the deployment of the U.S. Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) to the Philippines as part of the 2025 Balikatan drills.
Teodoro took aim at China’s earlier warning to countries not to engage in trade deals with the U.S. that could undermine Chinese interests.
“Why is it that when it’s about us, they expect something different?” Teodoro asked. “They say they don’t compromise, yet want us to. What they are doing is an attempt to suppress our freedom.”
He described China’s comments as hypocritical and propaganda, calling on Filipinos to recognize the broader geopolitical context.
“Let’s understand that these are not mere statements—these are propaganda. We, on the other hand, are simply telling the truth. We have freedoms here,” he said.
China’s Stark Warning Amid Drills
On Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun sharply criticized the Philippines for holding joint exercises with a “country outside the region”—referring to the U.S.—and for bringing in strategic and tactical weaponry that Beijing claims disrupts regional peace.
“Those who play with fire will perish by it,” Guo warned, adding that China opposes any military maneuvering tied to the Taiwan issue.
Teodoro, however, stressed that the Philippines would not be deterred by such rhetoric.
“We’re not here to appease anyone. We are simply exercising our right to partner with allies and protect our national interests,” he said.
The 2025 Balikatan exercises are the largest to date and part of an expanding defense cooperation agenda under the Philippines-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty.