(Photo courtesy of DND)
MANILA, Philippines – Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. accused China of avoiding the Philippines’ legal arguments concerning the West Philippine Sea, saying Beijing instead resorts to criticizing Manila’s actions and shifting the discussion away from the central maritime dispute.
Teodoro maintained that the issue should be addressed through facts and international law rather than political accusations and attempts to divert attention from the Philippines’ legal position.
The defense chief stressed that Manila has consistently presented the legal basis of its maritime rights and entitlements under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
His remarks came amid continuing tensions between Manila and Beijing over competing maritime claims in the South China Sea, particularly in areas within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
The Philippines has repeatedly invoked the 2016 arbitral ruling, which invalidated China’s sweeping claims to historic rights within its nine-dash line insofar as they exceeded the maritime entitlements permitted under UNCLOS.
China has rejected the ruling and maintained its territorial and maritime claims in the disputed waters.
