Philippines Defense Secretary warns of Chinese influence and calls for new Pacific bases

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has raised concerns regarding potential Chinese influence over domestic politicians. During a House committee on appropriations hearing, Teodoro stated there are grounds to suspect some Filipino officials may be receiving support from China to amplify pro-China statements and operations within the West Philippine Sea. He noted that establishing definitive evidence is difficult because the Department of National Defense lacks access to private bank records, though he confirmed coordination with law enforcement agencies.

In addition to addressing internal political concerns, Teodoro emphasized the need for expanded maritime infrastructure. He called for the construction of strategic bases and logistics hubs to oversee the Pacific Ocean and the Philippine Rise, an underwater plateau east of Luzon believed to contain significant oil and gas deposits. While current defense efforts focus heavily on the contested West Philippine Sea, Teodoro argued that securing the eastern seaboard is essential for maintaining reliable supply chains and monitoring the region.