Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. labeled China a regional troublemaker on October 14, 2026, citing Chinese interference in the South Pacific and a June long-range ballistic missile test.

From the articleChina says can ‘easily win’ confrontation with PhilippinesAlso in China says it ‘may easily win’ war with Philippines but insists it ‘loves peace’, Philippines protests Chinese envoy’s remarks, calling them a ‘thinly veiled threat’