Philippines' Teodoro says China could exploit cuts in US-South Korean exercises

Philippine defence chief warns that U.S. cuts to exercises with South Korea could open an opportunity for China to reassert itself in the Indo‑Pacific.
Manila says it received firm U.S. assurances that mutual defence commitments remain unchanged and is deepening ties with the U.S. and other partners (Canada, New Zealand, France, Britain).
The Philippines is buying more hardware from South Korea (fighters, frigates) and seeking tech cooperation, though a planned submarine programme is still under review.