By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Exasperated by the latest antic of China, Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. on Sunday (05 May 2024) called the alleged “new model” a “devious machination of China.”
Teodoro bluntly told Beijing: “This charade must stop.”
This developed as the Department of National Defense (DND) denied an alleged “new model” that China claims it reached with the Philippines to ease tensions in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
“I reiterate that I have disallowed any contact between the DND and the Chinese Embassy since the courtesy call of Ambassador Huang Xilian, a few days after I assumed office in July of last year,” Teodoro said in a statement.
On Saturday (4 May 2024), an unnamed spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Manila claimed in a statement that Beijing and Manila, through the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command, allegedly agreed on the new model “early this year” supposedly to diffuse tensions in Ayungin Shoal.
The statement further claimed that the “new model” was “approved by all key officials in the Philippine chain of command, including the Secretary of National Defense and the National Security Adviser.
But Teodoro strongly denied the Chinese Embassy’s claims.
“I am issuing this statement to generate awareness on this clear attempt by China to advance another falsehood to divide our people and distract us from their unlawful presence and actions in our EEZ (exclusive economic zone),” Teodoro said.
“We advise our citizens, the media, and the international community to beware of China’s methods of manipulation, interference, and malign influence in furthering its interests,” he added.
(el Amigo/MNM)
