00:00The government remains consistent with its priority to participate in efforts in soothing tensions in the Middle East.
00:06Meanwhile, the defense chief fires back to what he called China's new type of deception regarding the West Philippine Sea.
00:13Patrick DeJesus has more in this report.
00:18For Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., the country is learning important lessons from the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
00:27This underscores the need to strengthen defense and the importance of the modernization program for the armed forces of the
00:35Philippines.
00:36Among those that should be prioritized is the acquisition of additional anti-missile systems.
00:44He also said a larger petroleum reserve is needed due to the ongoing global oil crisis caused by tensions.
00:51It's all a question of national resilience and national defense.
00:57Kaya siniseryoso dapat natin hindi lip service lamang yung modernization.
01:02Kaya pinag-aaralan natin mabuti ang supply chain ng ating mga acquisitions.
01:09The Secretary also admitted that the Philippines has no capability for now to assist in escorting ships through the Strait
01:18of Hormuz, which is controlled by Iran.
01:21This is related to the call of U.S. President Donald Trump for various countries to help provide security in
01:29the Strait of Hormuz,
01:30a key waterway for tankers transporting a large portion of the world's crude oil supply.
01:37Despite this, the government is ready to take part in all efforts to de-escalate tensions.
01:44Nalalagay sa panganib yung Filipino seafarers natin at saka yung mga OFW natin.
01:51Lahat ng moves na ma-de-escalate ito, lalo na yung mga indiscriminate na attack,
01:58hindi dapat sana mapara agad.
02:02Secondly, international trade, yung ating fuel supply, fertilizer supply.
02:10Teodoro also pushed back against what he described as a new form of disinformation by China regarding the West Philippine
02:19Sea.
02:19This follows the release by the Chinese Embassy of a 1990 letter from former Philippine Ambassador Bienvenido Tan,
02:27stating that Scarborough Shoal is not covered by Philippine territorial sovereignty under the Treaty of Paris of 1898.
02:36According to Teodoro, China is now using all means to spread misinformation targeting Filipinos.
02:43That letter is not binding at all. Yan ang problema sa China.
02:51Lahat ng pagsisinungaling, ginagawa nila.
02:54Hindi ito makabatas.
03:01The Department of Foreign Affairs has also maintained that China's claim over Scarborough Shoal and other parts of the West
03:22Philippine Sea
03:23has no basis in history and international law.
03:28Patrick De Jesus from the National TV Network for a New and Better Philippines.
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