Philippines defence chief backs US calls for higher military spending, says allies must pull their weight
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- Gilberto Teodoro Jr said all countries must increase defence spending, stating no nation can neglect its own defence.
- US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth urged Asian allies to raise defence spending to 3.5% of GDP, a target Teodoro said reflected a broader ministerial consensus.
- Gilberto Teodoro Jr warned that security partnerships require burden‑sharing and that the US will not be the go‑to protector if allies fail to pull their weight.
- Ukraine's war was cited by Teodoro as evidence that any nation can be caught off‑guard, prompting a push for deterrent capabilities and rapid modernisation.
- Southeast Asia would find the 3.5% GDP target difficult, so Teodoro suggested technology transfers and other contributions as alternatives.
Why it matters: Philippine defence spending and allied capability upgrades gain from the push, while nations that lag risk reduced security guarantees; the 3.5% GDP target forces budget reallocations and accelerates technology‑sharing deals across ASEAN.
