DEFENDERS US Defense Chief Lloyd Austin III and DND Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. during the second meeting of the defense leaders of Australia, Japan, US and the Philippines in Honolulu, Hawaii. DND PHOTO
Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. on Sunday refuted any involvement of the Department of National Defense (DND) in an agreement with China concerning a purported "new model" of conduct in the Ayungin Shoal.
Teodoro made the statement in response to the Chinese Embassy's claim that an agreement was reached between the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Command (AFP-Wescom) and China regarding a purported "new model" for handling the situation at the Ayungin Shoal.
The Chinese Embassy asserted that the Philippine government, including the DND and National Security Advisor, had endorsed this "new model."
Teodoro emphasized that since assuming office in July 2023, he had maintained a policy of no contact between the DND and the Chinese Embassy, following 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,” Teodoro said in a statement.
“I would like to clearly state that any insinuation that the Department of National Defense is a party to any ‘new model’ is a devious machination of China through their Embassy in Manila, and it is curious that it comes right after their actions were condemned in the recent SQUAD meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii,” he added.
The DND chief said this “new model” claim was a “clear attempt by China to advance another falsehood in order to divide our people and distract us from their unlawful presence and actions" in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
On Saturday, the Chinese Embassy claimed that an agreement had been reached between the AFP-Wescom and China regarding a "new model" for the conduct of the two countries in the Ayungin Shoal.
This agreement was the product of China’s commitment to properly manage maritime differences “through dialogue and consultation with the Philippines,” the embassy said.
“To follow up on the important consensus between the two heads-of-state to deescalate tension in the South China Sea, the Chinese side and the Philippine side through AFP WESCOM agreed on a ‘new model’ for the management of the situation at Ren'ai Jiao (Ayungin Shoal) early this year after multiple rounds of discussions,” it added.
China maintained that the "new model" serves as a confidence-building measure aimed at managing disputes, preventing conflicts and upholding peace, stressing that this agreement does not touch upon the sovereign positions of either country.
“During the discussion, the AFP-WESCOM has made repeated confirmation that the 'new model' has been approved by all key officials in the Philippine chain of command, including the Secretary of National Defense and the National Security Adviser. The communication and negotiation on this subject matter is kept on record in every detail by the Chinese side,” it said.
The Chinese Embassy said that the “new model” resulted in a “smooth” resupply mission last February, which the AFP spokesperson described as “flawless” in a social media post.
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