Manila, March 3 -- Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Tuesday dismissed concerns that the Philippines could be dragged into the escalating conflict in the Middle East due to its alliance with the United States (US), saying such fears are unfounded.

"That is unfounded dahil hindi natin ma-ihahambing ang sitwasyon sa Middle East dito sa Pilipinas (because we cannot really compare the situation of the Middle East to our situation here in the Philippines)," Teodoro said in an interview following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s press conference at Malacanang in Manila.

Teodoro stressed that the Philippines' bilateral and multilateral alliances are strictly for defensive and deterrent purposes.

He adde...