Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 21) — It is China and its people alone who believe their allegation that the Philippines is the one stirring up trouble in the disputed waters, the Department of National Defense (DND) said on Thursday.
“Sila na lang ang niniwala at mga tao nila ma bine-brainwash naman dahil walang malayang pamamahayag sa China… so they are the only one that believe their own propaganda,” DND Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. told CNN Philippines’ The Source.
[Translation: They are the only ones believing and their people who they brainwash since there is no freedom of expression in China so they are the only ones that believe their own propaganda.]
This was his response to the statement made by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin who said it was Manila that was “breaching the common understandings with China and heightening tensions in the South China Sea” in the past few months.
Wang maintained Beijing will not back down and “it is the Philippines’ own interests and the region’s peace and stability that will take the toll.”
Teodoro said this statement proves that China has no peaceful intentions and that its whole interest is to marginalize the Philippines and claim everything. This is also part of China’s tactics as it failed to gain the same support that the Philippines has received from other nations, he added.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier said the Philippines needs a “paradigm shift” in how it deals with China’s aggressions in the West Philippine Sea as diplomatic efforts are going “in a poor direction.”
Teodoro emphasized that the Philippines remains a friend to all.
“We treat everybody as a friend just as long as they don’t take what is ours,” he added.
Last week, the Armed Forces of the Philippines confirmed the presence of Chinese vessels at Ayungin Shoal after launching aggressive actions against Philippine vessels.
AFP Western Command (Wescom) Commander Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos said they have monitored at least five Chinese militia ships inside Ayungin, while four others were outside the shoal where BRP Sierra Madre is grounded.
Teodoro said this is concerning for him because China is becoming more aggressive and demonstrative.
“However, the rest of the world’s reaction is more concerning to them than to us,” he noted. “This is not a matter of Philippine law alone, this is a matter of international law and beyond the EEZ (exclusive economic zone) is a global common which cannot be appropriated by anyone.”
To counter China’s actions, Teodoro said his department will prioritize building up capabilities as soon as possible, establishing robust presence in the West Philippine Sea and throughout the Philippines’ EEZ, and building up interoperability and partnerships with like-minded nations
