Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Tuesday called for a rules-based international security architecture centered on human security as conflicts and natural disasters continue to threaten communities worldwide.

Speaking at the first plenary session of the Seoul Defense Dialogue 2026 in South Korea, Teodoro presented the Philippines’ position on building a “Collaborative Architecture for International Stability.”

He said such a framework should prioritize human rights, health, protection from natural disasters, education and freedoms of thought and speech.

“The survival of the human being, the care for the human being, care for human rights, care for health, care for freedom from dangers of natural calamities, educational opportunities for mutual understanding under a regime of freedom of thought, freedom of speech, and not state-sponsored lies and state-sponsored brainwashing,” Teodoro said.

He joined South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and Czech Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Jaromír Zůna in discussing conflicts and disasters confronting the international community.

Teodoro said natural disasters have compounded the suffering caused by conflict and increased the urgency of enforcing international norms against aggressive actors.

“In that kind of setting, we see that there is greater urgency in order to enforce a system of norms that will curtail the behavior of aggressive actors,” he said.

He warned that smaller and archipelagic states are particularly vulnerable when power is exercised without restraint.

“The threat of war becomes more imminent because of unconstrained and uncontrolled use of might versus right,” Teodoro said.

He reiterated that the Philippines would not compromise its sovereignty and territorial integrity and would continue strengthening its defense capabilities with like-minded partners.

“We will continue our defense modernization and our resilient capabilities together with like-minded partners, this in our own indigenous capabilities and in building up coalitions of like-minded nations,” he said.

Teodoro said a collaborative security architecture should be built on deterrence, respect for international norms and shared existence.

Teodoro hits China over arbitration note

Teodoro also responded to a note from the Chinese side during the dialogue concerning Beijing’s position on the 2016 South China Sea arbitration award.

He reiterated the importance of respecting international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and established international norms.

Teodoro also criticized the manner in which the Chinese position was conveyed during the forum, saying participants should show respect for South Korea as host.

“Magpakadisente naman kayo nang konti, mahiya naman kayo nang konti,” Teodoro said.