Charade, DND chief says of latest China statement on WPS agreement

From the Philippine News Agency (May 4, 2024): Charade, DND chief says of latest China statement on WPS agreement (By Priam Nepomuceno)

DND Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. (PNA file photo)

MANILA – China's latest statement to justify its illegal presence in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) is a "charade" and only aims to divide Filipinos over the issue, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. said on Sunday.

"This charade must stop. I am issuing this statement to generate awareness on this clear attempt by China to advance another falsehood in order to divide our people and distract us from their unlawful presence and actions in our EEZ (exclusive economic zone)," he said.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila on Saturday claimed that the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command (Wescom) made repeated confirmations that the "new model" for the handling of raising tensions in the WPS have been approved by key Philippine government officials, including Teodoro and National Security Adviser Eduardo Año.

China also claimed that it has records of "communication and negotiation" on this matter and that it has nothing to do with the sovereign positions of the two countries.

"I would like to clearly state that any insinuation that the Department of National Defense is a party to any new model is a devious machination of China through their Embassy in Manila, and it is curious that it comes right after their actions were condemned in the recent Squad meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii," Teodoro said.
Teodoro, United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III, Japanese Minister of Defense Kihara Minoru, and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles met at the Indo-Pacific Command headquarters in Honolulu, Hawaii on May 2.

The four ministers “strongly” objected to the dangerous use of China Coast Guard and militia vessels and are seriously concerned over the ongoing situation in the East and South China Sea.

Teodoro reiterated that he had disallowed any contact between the DND and the Chinese Embassy since the courtesy call of Ambassador Huang Xilian, a few days after he assumed office in July last year.

"During the said courtesy call, there was no discussion or briefing on any gentleman's agreement or new model, which is contrary to the Chinese Embassy's pronouncements," Teodoro said, contradicting China's claims that there was an exchange of views on "China-Philippines military relations, and maritime issues, among other things."

Teodoro reminded all Filipino citizens, the media, and the international community to beware of China's methods of manipulation, interference, and malign influence in furthering its own interests.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1224060