Philippines, US create joint task force vs South China Sea threats

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and the United States jointly announced yesterday the creation of “Task Force Philippines” which seeks to counter China’s coercive and aggressive behavior in the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea.

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, meeting for the fourth time this year in Kuala Lumpur on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit, said the new joint initiative is aimed at enhancing defense cooperation and deterrence.

Both did not reveal specific details on how Task Force Philippines will operate, what assets will be utilized and when the new unit will begin operations.

“It bears repeating that that mutual defense treaty is critical for both of our countries, either of our forces anywhere in the South China Sea, it is applicable. We don’t seek confrontation, but of course, we’re ready to protect our interests, individually and mutually,” he said.

“And that’s why we’re publicly announcing the Task Force Philippines here with you today, which will be another step in our cooperation,” Hegseth said.

Teodoro, for his part, noted that Hegseth’s remarks capsulize the “vast amounts of work that both our governments, our leaderships and our people have put into strengthening the US-Philippine alliance.”

“The US-Philippine alliance should not be seen in isolation, because the alliance and moving forward now are based on fundamentals. These fundamentals are respect for international law, respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty,” he stressed.

Code of conduct

Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez urged yesterday the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China to support the proposed completion of the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea by next year when the country hosts the ASEAN Summit.

“I urge all their ambassadors to convince their respective governments to finalize the document and to sign it next year in Manila,” Rodriguez said in a statement.

Rodriguez said it is in the interest of China and ASEAN members to sign the document, which would govern their actions and activities in the South China Sea.

“The code is envisioned to be the guidepost for peaceful co-existence among China and ASEAN members, especially those with overlapping territorial claims in the South China Sea, like China, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Brunei,” he said.

On Tuesday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, President Marcos expressed hope that the proposed code of conduct would be signed in Manila next year.

Meanwhile, the Philippines and Malaysia reaffirmed their commitment to defense partnership and continuing cooperation in advancing regional peace and stability in Southeast Asia.

Teodoro met with Malaysian Minister of Defense Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin on Thursday on the sidelines of the 19th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting and the 12th ADMM-Plus in Kuala Lumpur.

During the meeting, both officials discussed preparations for the Philippines’ ASEAN chairmanship in 2026 and the conduct of the Trilateral Ministerial Meeting among the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia next year. — Jose Rodel Clapano, Emmanuel Tupas