(CNN Philippines) — The Department of National Defense (DND) on Wednesday (May 6) denied China’s latest tirade accusing the Philippines of committing acts of “provocation” by building structures at the West Philippine Sea.
DND spokesperson Dr. Peter Paul Galvez said the country is not engaged in any construction or reclamation projects in any of its territories, calling China’s accusation “concocted stories.”
“If there is one thing we are certain of, we know that they are very good at concocting stories and misleading statements,” he said.
“They are saying too many things that now they are confused. What they should do is to stop all activities in [the] West Philippine Sea reclamation, dismantle structures and apologize to the international community for the massive environmental degradation they committed.”
Galvez also denied that the Philippines is provoking China, and that it is Beijing that’s actually making the situation tense and not Manila.
“They are the ones provoking and dragging peace focused nations into this tense situation. All other nations have been dealing with this in a peaceful, diplomatic, and rules-based manner,” he added.
The Philippines, the DND said, remains strongly committed on the Declaration of the Code of Conduct between China and the 10-member Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) which was signed in 2002.
Under the agreement, all signatories are refrained from occupying uninhabited reefs and shoals in the sea, and from building new structures that would complicate disputes.
