Seoul: The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) guarantees the Philippines' "solidary territorial entity," Department of National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. emphasized on Tuesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Teodoro highlighted the significance of UNCLOS to the Philippines as one of the world's five archipelagic states during his address at this year's Seoul Defense Dialogue in South Korea. He asserted that UNCLOS ensures the Philippines' existence as a solidary territorial entity, a right the country has fought to uphold.

Teodoro pointed out the ongoing challenges faced by the Philippines and ASEAN due to conflicting narratives and historical claims, particularly regarding China's assertions over the West Philippine Sea. He referenced the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling, which affirmed the Philippines' jurisdiction over its Exclusive Economic Zone, as a critical aspect of these tensions.

"In this kind of situation, norms are present. It is the enforcement in a fair manner of these norms that are important," Teodoro stated. He emphasized the need for smaller states to rely on legacy defense mechanisms and institutions while forming coalitions with like-minded countries to uphold international norms.

Despite these challenges, Teodoro assured that the Philippines remains steadfast in protecting its territorial integrity and sovereignty. He highlighted the country's commitment to resisting aggression and emphasized the importance of defense modernization and building resilient capabilities with international partners.

Teodoro concluded his address by advocating for an international security architecture that prioritizes human security, human rights, and freedom from state-sponsored misinformation. He underscored the importance of educational opportunities and mutual understanding under a regime of freedom of thought and speech.