Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang ruled out severing diplomatic and economic relations with China despite Beijing’s accusation that Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. had shut down military-to-military communication between the two countries.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said President Bongbong Marcos intends to maintain engagement with Beijing, particularly in trade and investment, even as tensions persist in the West Philippine Sea.
“Definitely hindi naman natin sinasara ang ating relasyon sa China. Hindi naman po gugustuhin iyan ng Pangulo kasi tuluy-tuloy pa rin ang pakikipag-ugnayan natin sa China dahil nais din po natin na magpatuloy din iyong trade and investment natin sa bansang China,” Castro said during a Palace briefing on Tuesday, Oct. 13.
[Translation: We are definitely not closing our relations with China. The President would not want that because our engagement with China continues, and we want trade and investment between our countries to continue.]
“Real talk tayo – kailangan ng China ang Pilipinas, kailangan din ng Pilipinas ang China pagdating sa trade,” she added.
[Translation: Let’s be realistic. China needs the Philippines, and the Philippines also needs China when it comes to trade.]
The Palace official declined to confirm the current status of military-to-military communication, referring questions about the arrangements to Teodoro.
“Mas maganda siguro pagdating diyan ay si Sec. Gibo ang tanungin natin kung anong pinaka-detalye,” Castro said.
[Translation: It would be better to ask Secretary Gibo about the specific details.]
China warns of confrontation risks
The Chinese Embassy in Manila recently accused Teodoro of shutting down military communication channels for what it described as personal political interests.
“But Gibo Teodoro decided to shut down mil-mil communication between China and the Philippines for political self interests,” the Chinese statement said.
“His move fuels mistrust, narrows the space for crisis management, and pushes frontline personnel closer to confrontation,” it added.
Beijing argued that direct military communication should remain open even during periods of strained relations to prevent misunderstandings from escalating into a wider confrontation.
DND cites Teodoro’s earlier statement
The Department of National Defense (DND), meanwhile, reiterated that communication between the department and the Chinese Embassy in Manila had been discontinued shortly after Teodoro assumed office in July 2023.
The DND referred to a May 2024 statement in which Teodoro acknowledged that he had prohibited direct contact with the Chinese Embassy following a courtesy call by Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian.
“I reiterate that I have disallowed any contact between the DND and the Chinese Embassy since the courtesy call of Ambassador Huang Xilian, a few days after I assumed office in July of last year,” Teodoro said in the earlier statement.
At the time, Teodoro was rejecting China’s claims about a supposed “new model” arrangement concerning Philippine resupply missions in the West Philippine Sea.
The defense chief maintained that no such agreement had been discussed during his meeting with the Chinese ambassador.
In July 2026, Teodoro also indicated that the Philippines would maintain only limited military engagement with China unless Beijing changed its conduct in disputed waters.
