Defense Sec. Gilberto Teodoro belied the recent claims made by the Chinese Embassy in Manila.
The embassy released a statement last Saturday, May 4, that alleges that China and the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command agreed 'on a new model for the management of the situation at Ren'ai Jiao', the Chinese name for the Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, earlier this year, 2024.
The statement also stated that the AFP WESCOM made confirmations that key officials in the Philippines, including Teodoro, and National Security Advisor Eduardo Año, approved the 'new model'.
In response, Teodoro called the statement released by the embassy as 'a devious machination of China', and a charade.
"This charade must stop," the Department of National Defense (DND) chief said on Sunday, May 5, in a statement.
"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 (exclusive economic zone)," Teodoro stressed.
Teodoro pointed out that the embassy released the statement following the meeting between him, 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 last Thursday, May 2, in Honolulu, Hawaii.
DND said that the four officials expressed concern over the actions of China that obstruct Philippine vessels from exercising their right high seas freedom of navigation, and disrupt supply lines to the Second Thomas Shoal, another name for the Ayungin Shoal.
The department also said that the defense ministers called upon China to adhere to the final and legally binding 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which discredits the claim of China over the disputed area.
"(I)t is curious that it comes right after their actions were condemned in the recent SQUAD meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii," Teodoro said.
Teodoro further mentioned that he disallowed any contact between the DND and the Chinese embassy after the courtesy call of Ambassador Huang Xilian last July.
"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," the Defense secretary added.
