The Beijing embassy in Manila publicized a transcript of a supposed phone call recording with the Western Command Armed Forces of the Philippines (WESCOM) chief regarding approval of the "new model" in Ayungin Shoal. If proven true, the Chinese embassy will have breached the Philippine Anti-Wire Tapping Law.
Manila Times published a 12- minute phone call transcript submitted by a Chinese official on Wednesday, wherein WESCOM Commander Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos had ostensibly told the official that the "new model" for arrangements in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) had been approved by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, and Security Adviser Eduardo Año, Andy Verde reports on Balitang Promdi at DZRH.
According to the proposal, one Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel is to accompany one civilian vessel on resupply missions, which should be conducted with a notice 2 days prior.
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In an ambush interview, Teodoro said that if the Chinese embassy's statement were true, they will have inadvertently admitted to breaking Philippine law and international relations protocols. He also stated that such negotiations violate law because the embassy had not communicated with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on the matter, and spoken instead to people unauthorized to strike deals of this nature.
Teodoro reiterated the DFA's previous statement, that only the President can sanction arrangements concerning the WPS. He also maintained that there is no such deal with China, which is why the claims its officials have made are untrue.
"Dapat alamin kung sino ang responsable dito, at alisin sa Republika ng Pilipinas," Teodoro concluded.
["We should find out who is responsible for this, and expel them from the Republic of the Philippines."]
Philippine Navy spokesperson Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad said such claims are a "zombie story" and should be laid to rest. He also called the WPS conflict a "battle of narratives," saying China and the Philippines are competing to shape how people view the issue.
"We will not dignify reports like that. Again, it's a zombie story. Let's bring it back to where it rightfully belongs. To the grave," Trinidad told reporters. "Anybody could say anything. These stories will be rehashed. We have to understand that today's warfare is a battle of narratives. It's a battle of shaping the perception of the people."
The AFP confirmed Carlos was on leave at the time of the supposed phone call. The leave of absence was filed for reasons unrelated to the WPS conflict, reported Edniel Parrosa reports on DZRH's Balansyado.
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"Let us just respect, no, kung ano 'yung reason niya for filing for his leave. Wala siyang any relation doon sa timing. It's purely coincidental," Col. Francel Margareth Padilla, spokesperson for the AFP said.
The DFA plans to host the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism in manila within the month. China has not responded to the invitation.
