Article by:
Priam Nepomuceno
MANILA – Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said that recent and ongoing conflicts have highlighted the need for all nations to "work toward convergence to address threats and mitigate vulnerabilities."
In his keynote speech to the Paris Defense and Strategy Forum (PDSF) in France on Wednesday (local time), and provided to Filipino reporters Thursday, Teodoro said there is a need for cross-regional convergence to protect human life, not only to propound state objectives and international order.
"And by convergence, we should interpret convergence in the broad sense, which means unity of purpose, where we both could either interoperate in one area or operate in our respective areas to achieve a common goal, using our unique capabilities, expertise, and areas of influence," he said.
Teodoro said this approach gives countries an "inherent responsibility" to protect the public and preserve global order without the need for a treaty.
"We need no treaties. This is immediately executory and doable," he said.
"Our convergence in goal or objective is necessary to protect human life, uphold international law, and defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty of smaller, and especially archipelagic countries, especially those who are besieged by larger neighbors.”
Teodoro cited as an example the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has already affected Filipinos even though the Philippines is not directly involved.
"We have felt the consequences, most immediately through direct threats to the safety of Filipinos who are in the Middle East, 2.4 million of them, and immediately through sharp increases in commodity prices, the Philippines being a net importer of oil," he said.
He also highlighted the fact that one in every three seafarers in the international merchant marine service is a Filipino, and one in three world medical professionals is a Filipino, forming the backbone of healthcare provision in Europe and America.
"And much to our regret, our people have been counted among those who are casualties from attacks both on land and at sea," Teodoro said.
He also emphasized that international law and institutions are essential to the growth and survival of nations like the Philippines, "not only as a matter of principle, but also out of necessity."
"Without an expeditionary armed force, for example, the Philippines has to depend on the international system to protect our nationals, wherever they may be, while we are in the process of strengthening ourselves to enable us to do so in the future, which is an obligation for which we will not shirk, and it is an obligation which we realize," Teodoro said.
Under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Philippines is now strengthening its capabilities to ensure the safety and well-being of overseas Filipinos, the defense chief said.
"A big part of this is strengthening first our Armed Forces to protect our exclusive economic zone and other areas where we have jurisdiction, and thereafter, to be an expeditionary armed force to protect, in conjunction with all other like-minded partners, our people, and those of others, who are essential to international safety, international trade, and international commerce," he added.
Teodoro also noted that the Philippines' defense and security military partnerships with countries in Europe and beyond help the country in this critical endeavor.
The PDSF, which runs from March 24 to 26 and was organized by the Defence Academy of the École Militaire (ACADEM) of France, is a major international forum that provides a valuable avenue for dialogue among states, institutions, militaries, researchers, and civilian stakeholders on regional and global strategic and geopolitical issues. (PNA)
Log in with Google