By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — The Department of National Defense (DND) said on Saturday (April 27, 2024) that it is not cognizant of any internal agreement between China and the Philippines concerning the Ayungin Shoal since President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. assumed office.
In a statement, the DND clarified that they have not communicated with any Chinese government official since last year.
“The narrative purported by unnamed or unidentified Chinese officials is yet another crude attempt to propagate falsehood,” the statement emphasized.
“This is all part of the Chinese propaganda machinery’s efforts to divert the attention of the Filipino people from the actual issue and root cause of tensions in the West Philippine Sea, which is China’s persistent refusal to comply with UNCLOS, an agreement they are signatory to.”
The Department further underscored its stance that it would never entertain any agreement that compromises the sovereignty and sovereign rights of the country under UNCLOS, as affirmed by the 2016 Arbitral Ruling.
Earlier, Marcos expressed his dismay, stating he was “horrified” by the notion that a gentleman’s agreement or secret pact could have jeopardized “the territory, sovereignty, and sovereign rights of the Philippines.”
(el Amigo/MNM)
