MANILA, Philippines – Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. said on Sunday, May 5, that the Philippines is not a party to any new arrangement with China on managing the situation in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

Teodoro made the statement a day after the spokesperson of the Chinese embassy in Manila claimed that the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command (Wescom), supposedly with the approval of the Philippine defense chief himself, had agreed on a “new model” in relation to Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) earlier this year.

“I would like to clearly state that any insinuation that the Department of National Defense is a party to any ‘new model’ is a devious machination of China through their Embassy in Manila, and it is curious that it comes right after their actions were condemned in the recent SQUAD meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii,” Teodoro said.

Teodoro joined his counterparts from the US, Australia, and Japan this week for their second joint meeting in Hawaii. They raised concerns about China’s presence in the West Philippine Sea, strongly objecting to the “dangerous use” of coast guard and maritime militia vessels, a joint readout from the four countries said on Saturday, May 4.

‘A waste of time’

On Saturday, the Chinese embassy in Manila described the “gentlemen’s agreement” as well as the “new model” as a “confidence-building measure aimed at managing disputes, avoiding conflicts and maintaining peace, and has nothing to do with each other’s sovereign positions.”

China went on to air its frustrations and questioned why the supposed deal was abandoned, noting that “[m]ore and more questions are wracking our brains.”

“Why does the Philippine administration keep denying and resisting the understandings and arrangements? Why does the DND refuse to properly manage maritime differences through dialogue and negotiation?” the Chinese embassy asked.

Addressing the Chinese embassy spokesperson’s claims, Teodoro said on Sunday: “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. 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.”

“This charade must stop,” he added.

Teodoro said he issued the 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 EEZ.”

“We advise our citizens, the media, and the international community to beware of China’s methods of manipulation, interference, and malign influence in furthering its own interests,” he said.

Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this story reported that the “gentleman’s agreement” involved Scarborough Shoal. This has been corrected.

The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs echoed Teodoro’s statement, saying that they are not aware of any “new model” arrangement floated by China.

The supposed “new model” is different from the “gentleman’s agreement” earlier forged by former president Rodrigo Duterte with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Under the secret deal with Duterte, the Philippines supposedly agreed with China to keep the status quo in the territorial waters and that only basic supplies, and not building materials, would be sent to the BRP Sierra Madre, the old Philippine Navy ship that serves as the country’s military outpost in Ayungin Shoal.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier said that he was “horrified” by the idea that Duterte compromised Philippine sovereignty through that gentleman’s agreement. He had also said that it was kept secret from Filipinos and his administration, and that it was not binding on the Philippine government.

‘Ludicrous’

Also on Sunday, National Security Adviser Secretary Eduardo Año slammed the Chinese embassy’s claims, calling it “absolutely absurd, ludicrous, and preposterous.” The Chinese embassy spokesperson had claimed that Año also gave the green light to the supposed “new model.”

Año said he had not talked to any official from the Chinese embassy directly or indirectly on any matter.

“The Chinese Embassy needs to be reminded that you can never deceive the Filipino people with your fabricated stories, bluffs, and fake exchanges of communication just to support your illegal claim of Philippine territory as well as to justify your illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive actions particularly the use of military-grade lasers, water cannons, dangerous blocking maneuvers, and ramming of our vessels which has caused wounded casualties on our side,” Año said.

Año said he will no longer comment on the issue and told the media that the claims are clearly “fake news.”

“The next time the Chinese Embassy release fake news and disinformation similar to these, we ask that you and everyone kindly view and treat these releases for what they really are: a waste of yours and everyone’s time.” – Rappler.com