MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Thursday dismissed China’s accusation that alleged Philippine construction activities aboard BRP Sierra Madre violated a provisional arrangement between Manila and Beijing, saying China has no right to interfere with what the Philippines does in its territory.
Asked whether the alleged construction violated the provisional arrangement, as claimed by Beijing, Teodoro stopped short of confirming or denying the allegation.
“They don’t care what we do in our territory. That doesn’t mean I am confirming anything—because they are putting words in our mouths—so I am not confirming that,” Teodoro told reporters on the sidelines of his bilateral defense meeting with Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson in Makati City.
His remarks came days after Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan accused the Philippines of violating the provisional arrangement by allegedly undertaking construction work on BRP Sierra Madre, which serves as Manila’s military outpost at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.
Jing claimed the reported activities breached the understanding reached by Manila and Beijing in July 2024 following months of dangerous confrontations during Philippine rotation and resupply missions to the grounded warship.
He also alleged that the supposed violation triggered the latest confrontation between Philippine and Chinese personnel at the shoal.
The Philippines has rejected China’s interpretation of the arrangement.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro earlier said any understanding with China must be anchored on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and build on the 2016 South China Sea arbitral award.
Philippine officials have also maintained that the provisional arrangement does not diminish the country’s sovereign rights or jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea.
Teodoro echoed that position, saying China had no authority to question Philippine activities aboard BRP Sierra Madre.
“They really have no right to be there. They are truly shameless,” he added.
The defense chief also rejected China’s account of the latest confrontation in Ayungin Shoal, accusing Beijing of inventing allegations to justify its actions.
He accused China of releasing an edited video of the incident.
“They are fabricating the encounter. They spliced the footage. How can we still believe what they’re saying?” he said.
The remarks came days after a confrontation near BRP Sierra Madre, the Philippine military outpost at Ayungin.
READ: Tarriela: China’s permission not needed for Ayungin medical evacuation
China Coast Guard (CCG) personnel allegedly struck Philippine Navy troops with wooden batons during an encounter involving rubber boats.
Two Navy sailors were injured in the incident, and the Philippine Coast Guard later conducted a medical evacuation to bring them to Palawan despite the presence of CCG vessels in the area.
Teodoro compared the latest allegation with China’s occupation of Mischief Reef in 1995, when Beijing initially said the structures there were shelters for fishermen before later turning the feature into a military outpost.
READ: West Philippine Sea: Chinese envoy blames PH in Ayungin encounter
The defense chief also rejected suggestions that China’s recent actions marked an escalation in the West Philippine Sea.
“No, it’s not an escalation. It is part of a design to control the Pacific Ocean,” he said.
Teodoro said the Philippines, Japan and Taiwan were among the countries standing in the way of China’s strategic objective, adding that developments in the West Philippine Sea should be viewed as part of a broader pattern rather than isolated incidents.
He pointed to China’s actions from Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal to Batanes, its recent missile launch into the Pacific Ocean and its continued rejection of the 2016 arbitral award as part of that pattern.
Despite the tensions, Teodoro said dialogue with Beijing remained necessary but should be conducted on terms favorable to the Philippines and anchored in international law.
“Dialogue? Yes. But you have to be prepared not to be outmaneuvered in the conversation,” he said. “Diplomacy must always be present.” /mcm
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