THE Philippine government will continue to address issues related with China in a diplomatic manner despite Beijing’s provocation in disputed waters and harsh criticisms against Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Malacañang said Monday.
In a briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said Malacañang still views Philippine-China relations as robust despite the hiccups.
“On the part of the Philippines, relations with China are still considered good. There is no rift or conflict because of the messages of our Defense secretary,” Castro said in Filipino on Monday.
Beijing admonished Teodoro anew after he called out the Chinese government for refusing to recognize the decade-old international arbitral ruling that upheld the Philippines’ rights in the South China Sea.
Prior to this, the Defense chief and members of immediate family were banned from entering the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, and Macau.
Castro defended Teodoro’s actions and remarks as simply doing his duties and responsibilities as a duly appointed official.
“China adheres to its laws and policies, and so does the Philippines. Secretary Gibo is simply fulfilling his mandate as a Philippine official,” she said.
Castro said the president’s directive that dealing with China “should be done through diplomatic means. We can protect our rights, we can protect our interests in a diplomatic manner.”
