On October 27, 2025, Lt. Col. Nikanorsson was formally introduced to the leadership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). He attended a distinguished gathering hosted by AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo S. Brawner, which brought together Foreign Armed Forces Attachés (FAFAs) and Military Attachés and Advisers (MAMAs). Accompanied by his wife, Lt. Col. Nikanorsson expressed his appreciation for the warm hospitality and cultural richness of the Philippines:

“During my stay, I gained a deeper understanding of the endeavors and challenges facing the Philippines and its Armed Forces. I look forward to working closely with my counterparts to further facilitate collaboration with Sweden.”

In addition to his engagements with the AFP, Lt. Col. Nikanorsson held meetings with Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan of the Philippine Coast Guard and senior officials from the Department of National Defense (DND), together with Ambassador of Sweden to the Philippines Anna Ferry, reinforcing Sweden’s commitment to broad-based defense dialogue and cooperation.

His visit followed the Second Joint Logistics Meeting held in Stockholm earlier in October, which brought together representatives from the DND, the Swedish Ministry of Defence, and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The meeting, also attended by Philippine Ambassador to Sweden Patrick Chuasoto, focused on strengthening capacity building and training programs, while exploring sustainable approaches to developing deterrence and defense capabilities. The discussions also included briefings on cybersecurity and emerging technologies at the Swedish Defence Research Agency, reflecting the growing importance of digital resilience in modern defense strategies.

The Philippine delegation also visited Saab’s facility in Linköping, where they tested the simulator for the JAS39 Gripen Multi-Role Fighter—a modern aircraft with long-term relevance for regional defense. They were introduced to a range of defense solutions for the Army, Navy, and Air Force from Saab and other Swedish providers, showcasing Sweden’s advanced defense technologies and integrated systems.

“Sweden values its growing partnership with the Philippines in defense and security. We are committed to supporting capacity building and sustainable cooperation in line with our Defense Policy Direction for the Indo-Pacific region.” said Ambassador Anna Ferry.

This cooperation was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2023, followed by an Implementing Arrangement (IA) in 2024 between the DND and the Swedish Ministry of Defence.

The Embassy of Sweden in Manila continues to actively support defense-related initiatives in the Philippines. In October, the Embassy participated as an observer in the Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) Industry Forum, and attended the Navy Drone Warfare Summit in Subic, where Sweden’s leading defense company Saab showcased its Exploration Environment and other cutting-edge technologies.

These engagements reflect Sweden’s long-term commitment to building a trusted, strategic, and mutually beneficial defense partnership with the Philippines—anchored in shared values, innovation, and a vision for regional peace and security.

The Chinese propaganda machine was exposed before the world last weekend through a side comment full of wit from Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro. It just had to be applauded at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

They thought that by sending People’s Liberation Army (PLA) colonels to ask a rhetorical trap cloaked in pseudo-diplomacy, their disinformation peddling would hog international headlines. Instead, Teodoro — sharp as a blade and calm as steel — obliterated their premise and with clarity called out the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for twisting the narrative.

This was what China hated the most: a display of intelligence that cannot be manipulated to fit the faulty and deceitful propaganda it wants the world to believe.

On their way out, a uniformed PLA officer criticized Teodoro for supposedly not answering their questions. But let’s get this straight: Teodoro didn’t “evade” questions. He eviscerated them, calling out propaganda as propaganda and exposing the gaslighting for what it is.

His remarks about China’s repression of truth even among its own people, territorial aggression, and utter “deficit in trust” as viewed by neighboring nations are what news out of the CCP never acknowledges.

So, Teodoro had to refresh everyone’s memory about China being that Big Asian Neighbor that fires water cannons at Philippine vessels, builds military installations on reefs, and rams boats while waving around a nine-dash line that was thrown out by international law.

Offstage and as he walked the sidelines, the CCP had deployed party-lining lapdogs dressed as reporters to toss baited questions, hoping Teodoro would take the fall. But they picked the wrong target. Gibo told the truth to their faces, saying he knew what they were. “Hello MSS agents,” he said.

They did the same thing to Philippine Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner, breaking protocol by following him and, the next day, reporting: “Philippine military chief dodges questions.” That’s enough proof that, indeed, they were Ministry of State Security (MSS) agents embedded in the conference.

Truth be told, if there was anyone evasive at the Shangri-La Dialogue, it wasn’t Brawner or Teodoro. It was China and its communist leadership — hiding behind colonels instead of sending a co-equal to the other defense chiefs present.

Some may even call it cowardice wrapped in arrogance. Why not send a minister like everyone else? Is Beijing too intimidated to face the defense chief of a small Pacific island country? Ultimately, the message was clear: The Philippines will not be silenced.

Teodoro was the voice of intelligence, courage, and principle heard around the world. As he said: “None have agreed with China, and none has condemned the Philippines for standing up against China in the face of a threat to its territorial integrity and sovereignty.”

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