This isn’t just about a bunch of rocky islands in the middle of the sea. This is about power, pressure, and the possibility of war.”
Welcome to the South China Sea — where ancient empires, global trade, and modern-day militaries all collide. It’s one of the busiest waterways on Earth, carrying over one-third of global shipping every single year. But now, it’s turning into a battleground.
In June 2024, the world watched in disbelief as Filipino sailors were injured during a tense standoff at Second Thomas Shoal. Who was behind it? Chinese coast guard and maritime militia—flexing force in waters international law says don’t belong to them. And that’s not a one-off. These provocations are part of a bigger pattern—one that’s pushing the Philippines to fight back.
China’s massive territorial claim—marked by the infamous “nine-dash line,” now quietly turned “ten-dash” to swallow up Taiwan too—has been declared illegal by a 2016 international ruling. But Beijing doesn’t care. Its outposts are expanding, coast guards getting more aggressive, and the “maritime militia”? Practically weaponized.
🇵🇭 But here’s the twist: The Philippines is done playing nice. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has dropped the diplomatic filter. At the 2025 Shangri-La Dialogue, he told China exactly what the world was thinking: “You can’t talk peace if you’re pointing a gun at your neighbor.”
This isn’t just a territorial spat anymore—it’s a clash of worldviews, a test of international law, and a wake-up call for smaller nations standing toe-to-toe with a superpower.
In today’s video, we dive deep into this rising storm—how the Philippines is pushing back, why the South China Sea matters more than ever, and what this showdown means for the future of the Indo-Pacific.
Stay tuned. This is the frontline of the 21st-century power struggle. And it’s only just beginning.
The “Clash” – Secretary Teodoro vs. Chinese Reporters
The most prominent and highly publicized confrontation between Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and Chinese representatives unfolded at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on June 1, 2025. As Asia’s premier defense summit, the Dialogue serves as a crucial arena where regional powers articulate their security agendas. Secretary Teodoro not only delivered a major speech but also participated in a plenary session that quickly escalated into a high-stakes war of words. On both the main stage and in hallway encounters, Teodoro found himself face-to-face with Chinese military officers and individuals identifying as journalists—many of whom advanced narratives strongly aligned with Beijing’s official stance on the South China Sea and the Philippines’ growing alignment with the United States.
The immediate flashpoint came when Senior Colonels Zhang Chi and Qi Dapeng of China’s National Defense University directly posed provocative questions to Secretary Teodoro during the plenary session. These questions—echoing the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) talking points—cast the Philippines as a disruptive actor in the South China Sea and a proxy of Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy. Others on the sidelines, claiming to be journalists, confronted Teodoro and other Philippine officials with similarly charged queries. This sparked a rare and defiant response from the Secretary, who used the platform to issue a searing indictment of China’s actions and narrative strategies.
In response, Teodoro’s tone was strikingly unapologetic, firm, and occasionally sardonic—a departure from the traditional diplomatic restraint often seen in such settings. He declared a profound “deficit of trust” with China as the core obstacle to resolving maritime disputes, stating unequivocally, “For dialogue to be effective, it must be coupled with trust. China has a lot of trust-building to do to be an effective negotiating partner.” He also rejected the repeated framing of the Philippines as an American pawn, asserting Manila’s independent foreign policy. “We are sovereign countries,” he said, “not proxies in a great power rivalry.” He emphasized that Philippine resistance in the West Philippine Sea stems not from geopolitical alignment, but from China’s expansive and legally baseless claims, referencing the ever-evolving nine-, ten-, or eleven-dash line Beijing asserts without international legal standing.
Teodoro didn’t stop there. He openly mocked attempts by some questioners to masquerade as journalists, calling them out as potential intelligence operatives or propaganda agents. He highlighted instances where Chinese state media used selectively edited footage—such as clips portraying AFP Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. as avoiding questions—to discredit Philippine officials. Teodoro dismissed these tactics as deliberate disinformation efforts. His memorable quip—“Thank you for the propaganda spiels disguised as questions”—was met with applause and laughter, cementing the moment as a diplomatic turning point. This was not merely a rebuttal—it was a calculated public stand against Beijing’s narrative manipulation.
From the Chinese side, the line of questioning consistently sought to portray the Philippines as the aggressor and the United States as the puppeteer. Senior Colonel Qi Dapeng asked whether Manila was acting independently or functioning as a U.S. proxy. Chinese representatives frequently accused the Philippines of provoking conflict, claiming Philippine vessels were the ones “illegally intruding” into Chinese “territorial waters.” Even when calls for dialogue were made, they were presented through a prism of conditionality—that is, only on China’s terms. Through platforms like the Global Times, Chinese media followed up by accusing the Philippines of “stirring up trouble at sea,” positioning China as a patient yet firm defender of regional order.
In framing their narrative, Chinese officials employed several coordinated strategies. First, they painted Manila as the provocateur, stirring conflict at the behest of the United States. Second, they delegitimized Philippine sovereignty by casting its foreign policy as externally dictated. Third, they presented China as a lawful actor, merely conducting “legitimate patrols” within its claimed maritime territory. And finally, they used information warfare tactics, including discrediting officials with selectively edited videos and sending agents disguised as journalists to shape international discourse.
This exchange is far more than a diplomatic squabble—it is a powerful symbol of the Philippines’ new assertiveness under President Marcos Jr., and a snapshot of the broader contest for influence in the Indo-Pacific. Secretary Teodoro’s unapologetic performance marked a rare and public confrontation of Beijing’s narrative in an international forum. It revealed the widening gulf between Manila and Beijing, underscoring a relationship now marked by deep distrust and hardened positions. More significantly, it highlighted that the South China Sea dispute is no longer confined to maritime standoffs or backroom diplomacy—it is also being fought in the media, in global forums, and on the psychological battlefield of perception.
The Shangri-La incident exemplifies the intensity of the information war now engulfing the South China Sea conflict. China’s strategy involves narrative control, disinformation, and media manipulation to shift global opinion. The Philippines, meanwhile, is increasingly fighting back—not just with patrols and alliances, but with bold, truth-forward messaging. Secretary Teodoro’s clash with Chinese representatives was not a misstep—it was a calculated assertion of national dignity and a sharp reminder that, in the age of hybrid warfare, truth itself has become a frontline.
The Philippines “Strikes Back” – A Broader Strategy?
The Philippines’ assertive stance in the South China Sea, particularly evident during the Shangri-La Dialogue in June 2025, reflects a broader strategic shift under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro’s confrontations with Chinese officials are emblematic of this “assertive transparency” approach, aiming to expose and counteract China’s “grey zone” tactics through public diplomacy and strengthened alliances.
A. Beyond Verbal Confrontations: A Strategic Shift
Secretary Teodoro’s firm responses to Chinese provocations are not isolated incidents but part of a deliberate strategy to uphold the Philippines’ sovereignty and territorial integrity. By publicly addressing and challenging China’s actions, the Philippines seeks to galvanize international support and highlight Beijing’s aggressive maneuvers in contested waters. This approach underscores a commitment to transparency and the rule of law, contrasting with China’s opaque operations in the region.
Key Actions and Statements by the Philippine Government
Enhanced Maritime Presence and Joint Patrols
The Philippines has intensified its maritime activities within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), particularly in the West Philippine Sea. Regular resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre at Second Thomas Shoal have been met with increasing aggression from Chinese vessels, including water cannon attacks and dangerous maneuvers. Notably, on May 22, 2025, the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources reported that China’s coastguard fired water cannons and sideswiped its vessel, the BRP Datu Sanday, during a marine scientific research initiative near Sandy Cay, endangering civilian lives.
In response, the Philippines has conducted joint maritime exercises with allies such as the United States, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. For instance, on February 5, 2025, a multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) was conducted within the Philippines’ EEZ, demonstrating a collective commitment to regional security.
Strengthening Defense Alliances
The Philippines has actively pursued and strengthened defense partnerships to bolster its security posture.
China Must Address “Deficit of Trust”, Says Philippine Defense Secretary
United States: The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) has been expanded, with new sites announced in strategic locations such as Cagayan and Palawan. Additionally, the Balikatan military exercises in April-May 2025 involved over 14,000 troops, showcasing enhanced interoperability between the two nations.Defense.gov+1Defense.gov+1
Japan: A Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) was ratified by the Philippine Senate in December 2024, allowing for joint military training and operations. Philstar.com
New Zealand: A Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) was signed in April 2025, facilitating troop deployments and joint training exercises.
Germany: In May 2025, the Philippines and Germany signed a defense cooperation agreement focusing on cybersecurity, military logistics, and UN peacekeeping operations. Reuters
Advocacy for International Law
The Philippines continues to advocate for adherence to international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). At the 46th ASEAN Summit in May 2025, President Marcos Jr. emphasized the urgent need for a legally binding code of conduct in the South China Sea to safeguard maritime rights and prevent miscalculations.
Public Denouncement of Chinese Aggression
Transparency is a cornerstone of the Philippines’ strategy. The Philippine Coast Guard regularly releases videos and photographs documenting Chinese harassment, aiming to inform the international community and counteract disinformation. Secretary Teodoro has been vocal in condemning China’s actions, labeling them as “absolutely irresponsible and reckless” during the Shangri-La Dialogue.
Motivations Behind the Philippines’ Firm Stance
Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity
The Philippines views China’s expansive claims and activities within its EEZ as direct threats to its sovereignty. Defending features like Second Thomas Shoal and Scarborough Shoal is seen as essential to national security.
Economic Interests
The South China Sea is vital for the Philippines’ fishing industry and potential energy resources. Chinese blockades and harassment have significantly impacted Filipino fishermen, with some reporting a 70-80% loss in income due to restricted access and intimidation.
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Upholding International Law
By consistently invoking the 2016 arbitral ruling and UNCLOS, the Philippines positions itself as a defender of the rules-based international order, challenging China’s defiance of established legal norms.
Domestic Political Considerations
The assertive approach aligns with public sentiment. A March 2024 survey indicated that 73% of Filipinos support strengthening territorial claims through increased military measures in the West Philippine Sea. This public support reinforces the administration’s firm stance against Chinese aggression.
Chinese Warships “Circling PH Waters” – Direct Confrontation and Teodoro’s “Fierce” Response
In recent months, Chinese maritime aggression in the West Philippine Sea has escalated dramatically, shifting from grey-zone intimidation to outright confrontation. Chinese Coast Guard, maritime militia, and even People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels have been operating aggressively around key Philippine-held features. Incidents at Second Thomas Shoal, Scarborough Shoal, and Sandy Cay have involved ramming, water cannon assaults, and most alarmingly, physical boarding and disarming of Filipino naval personnel—such as the June 17, 2024, clash where Chinese CCG personnel wielded bladed weapons, injuring Filipinos during a resupply run. These aren’t isolated standoffs—they reflect a sustained pattern of harassment, with China reinforcing its presence through large-scale naval deployments like the Liaoning carrier strike group operating east of Luzon, signaling broader strategic encirclement.
In response, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro has led a sharp pivot away from the previous administration’s muted approach. He’s not only condemned these incidents in blunt terms—calling them “brazen,” “illegal,” and “reckless”—but has made assertive transparency a cornerstone of Manila’s counter-strategy. By publicly releasing footage of confrontations and challenging Chinese narratives head-on, Teodoro is leveraging international law and media exposure to build global pressure against Beijing. At the 2025 Shangri-La Dialogue, he dismissed insinuations of the Philippines being a U.S. proxy, stressing national sovereignty and the CCP’s overreach. Crucially, he hinted at undisclosed contingency options, while reaffirming both self-reliance and alliance commitments—a calibrated message of deterrence without overcommitting to direct escalation.
These direct naval confrontations carry serious regional implications. The risk of miscalculation is dangerously high, especially given the chaotic nature of close-quarters maritime interactions. Trust between Manila and Beijing has all but evaporated—Teodoro himself cited a “trust deficit” as the main diplomatic obstacle. As China’s provocations intensify, Southeast Asia edges closer to greater instability. ASEAN unity is fraying, military buildups are accelerating, and external actors like the U.S., Japan, and Australia are being pulled deeper into the fray. What began as territorial disputes now resembles a slow-burning flashpoint for Indo-Pacific power competition, with the Philippines no longer on the defensive, but actively “striking back”—militarily, diplomatically, and in the battle of global narratives.
