DEFENSE Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. on Sunday denied the involvement of Department of National Defense (DND) in any agreement with China regarding a supposed “new model” of conduct in the Ayungin Shoal.
This after the Chinese Embassy claimed that this new model was approved by the Philippine government, including the DND.
Teodoro issued the statement after the Chinese Embassy on Saturday said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command made an agreement with China on a so called new model for managing the situation at the Ayungin Shoal.
Teodoro stressed that shortly after he assumed office in July 2023, he had not allowed any contact between the DND and the Chinese Embassy since the courtesy call of Ambassador Huang Xilian.
“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,” the DND chief said in a statement.
The Chinese embassy in Manila claims that the Philippine military, the Department of National Defense and the National Security Council had entered early this year into an agreement with China with regards to the South China Sea.
The embassy says that the agreement was between China and the Philippines, through the AFP Western Command, that was supposedly approved by key Philippine gov’t officials, including of DND and NSC.
