Teodoro’s Truth Bomb: Patriotism, Not Provocation

By Tracy Cabrera

Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro’s no-nonsense stance on Chinese incursions in the West Philippine Sea may have ruffled feathers in Beijing—but for civic leader Dr. Jose Antonio Goitia, it was a long-overdue defense of Philippine dignity.

“Secretary Teodoro is standing up for the Philippines,” Goitia said. “That’s not provocation. That’s patriotism.”

A known advocate of Philippine sovereignty, Goitia praised Teodoro’s recent remarks in Singapore, which firmly rejected the Chinese Embassy’s narrative that U.S. influence was driving the tension.

“This isn’t about America. It’s about the Philippines defending what’s rightfully ours. If someone repeatedly enters your house without permission, do you blame your neighbors—or do you face the intruder?” he asked.

He dismissed China’s accusations that Teodoro’s statements were “irresponsible” and “misleading,” calling them mere attempts at deflection.

“They say it’s destabilizing. I say it’s telling the truth. We’re not the aggressors here. We’re protecting our own.”

Goitia pointed to years of Chinese harassment of Filipino fishermen, environmental destruction in Philippine waters, and Beijing’s aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea as proof that the Philippines is under siege.

“When a Filipino official finally speaks up, we shouldn’t silence him. We should support him. Because he’s defending not just territory—but our future.”

Goitia also urged a revisit of the 1987 Manila Declaration and its call for a Zone of Peace, Freedom, and Neutrality in the region. He proposed a regional push to revise the UN Charter—particularly China’s veto power in the Security Council.

“We can’t keep hoping for fairness in a system where China holds all the cards,” he stressed. “ASEAN must unite and push back. The West Philippine Sea isn’t just about politics—it’s about food, resources, security, and national pride.”