By Priam Nepomuceno
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday strongly rejected claims made by the Chinese Embassy in Manila alleging that Department of National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. is using the issues in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) to bolster his political capital.
In a message to reporters, retired Navy reservist Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, AFP spokesperson for the WPS, said the military is solidly behind Teodoro and “categorically rejects the recent inflammatory statements” made by Chinese diplomats against the defense chief.
He said the AFP’s posture in the WPS is rooted in international law, primarily the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the binding 2016 Arbitral Award.
“The source of tension in the region is not the law-abiding defensive posture of the Philippines, but the continued illegal presence, coercive and aggressive conduct and the deceptive messaging of the Chinese Communist Party,” he noted.
Trinidad said the AFP will not be deterred by external pressure and attempts to undermine the DND leadership.
“We remain steadfast in our sworn duty to protect our sovereign rights, preserve national security, and uphold the rule of law across our territory and maritime domains,” he stressed.
Earlier, the Chinese Embassy in Manila, in a statement, lashed out against Teodoro and accused him of attacking China in a forum last Sept. 26.
In the said forum, Teodoro discussed issues in the WPS including Chinese harassment last Sept. 24 that prevented a routine resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal, the case of former Bamban Mayor Alice Guo and the proliferation of substandard steel manufacturing allegedly bankrolled by Chinese investors.
The Chinese Embassy called Teodoro “extremely anti-China” and claimed that the defense chief has been “smearing” China in an “attempt to gain political capital and serve his personal gains.
Trinidad also clarified that AFP personnel’s presence during the law enforcement operation at Sanjia Steel Plant in the PHIVIDEC Industrial Estate in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental last May 15 was limited to providing necessary security and logistical support to lead civilian law enforcement agencies.
“These attempts to personalize, deflect, and mischaracterize legitimate national security enforcement operations within our sovereign territory are parts of narrative distortion or foreign malign influence,” he added.
Trinidad said the operation was conducted on the strength of valid warrants addressing environmental hazards, public safety risks, and labor violations — not targeted actions against any nationality.
“The enforcement of Philippine laws within Philippine jurisdiction is an absolute exercise of sovereign authority and is non-negotiable. Foreign diplomatic missions are expected to respect local judicial processes rather than act as publicists for unlawful activities of their nationals,” the AFP spokesperson said.
