DND, NSC: 'Common understanding' on WPS is China propaganda

China Coast Guard vs. PH vessels near Ayungin Shoal in West Philippine Sea, Dec. 10, 2023. PCG

The Department of National Defense, on Saturday, denied the existence of any agreements with the Chinese Government that compromised Philippine sovereignty and rights in the West Philippine Sea.

Furthermore, according to a statement by DND Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr., the department has had no contact with the Chinese government since 2023.

“This is all a part of the Chinese propaganda effort to steer the Filipino people’s attention away from the real issue and cause of the tensions in the West Philippine Sea, which is China’s obstinate refusal to adhere to UNCLOS, which they are a signatory to,” the statement read.

The National Security Council echoed the DND’s views, stating that China’s claims of a “new model” were propaganda that attempted to frame the Philippines as the source of tension after it “reneged on its promises.”

“As [President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr.] has clearly stated, there is no agreement whatsoever about Ayungin Shoal and that we shall continue to do all activities within the bounds of international law and we shall brook no interference in our lawful actions,” said NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya.

He further said that any understanding without the President’s authorization would have no effect and that the country would never agree to an understanding that would recognize the Ayungin Shoal as China’s territory.

“The Philippines never broke any agreement because there was none to begin with… As Ayungin Shoal is part of the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, we cannot agree to any such understanding that violates the Philippine constitution or international law,” Malaya said in his statement.

He thus called on the public to take China’s statements on the West Philippine Sea “with a grain of salt.”

“It is a trap, nothing more, nothing less,” he said.

China had earlier claimed that a “common understanding” had been established between them and both the previous Duterte Administration and the current Marcos Administration.

In earlier reports, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said that China’s claim of a “gentleman’s agreement” regarding the BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea cannot be proven with documents.

China alleged that the Philippine Government is denying “common understandings” and that a “breach of commitments and provocations” will escalate and backfire on the country.

“We hope the Philippines will face that squarely and decide sensibly what its action should be,” said China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin. — DVM, GMA Integrated News

This article DND, NSC: ‘Common understanding’ on WPS is China propaganda was originally published in GMA News Online.