'China lying on new model for Ayungin'

Denouncing China’s alleged use of misinformation as a weapon of mass distraction, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. accused the Chinese embassy in Manila of again spreading lies in claiming that he knew of secret deals or agreements affecting the country’s sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

- MICHAEL PUNONGBAYAN

According to Teodoro, it is not true that the Department of National Defense (DND) was briefed about the so-called “gentleman’s agreement” and a more recent “new model” governing Ayungin Shoal.

“I would like to clearly state that any insinuation that the DND 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 Quad meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii,” Teodoro said over the weekend.

He also reiterated that he has disallowed any contact between the DND and the Chinese embassy since the courtesy call of Ambassador Huang Xilian, a few days after he assumed office in July 2023.

“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,” Teodoro stressed.

“This charade must stop,” he said, believing that China is again using false information to distract the public from the real issues concerning the WPS where the China Coast Guard (CCG) and maritime militia vessels are harassing and attacking Philippine vessels using water cannons.

In a statement on Saturday, the Chinese embassy in Manila said the so-called gentleman’s agreement on Ayungin Shoal where the BRP Sierra Madre remains grounded was reached during the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte.