MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Monday blasted Chinese envoy Jing Quan for saying there was a provisional agreement between Manila and Beijing.
Defending China’s position, Jing said a supposed construction work on the BRP Sierra Madre violated terms intended to maintain status quo between Manila and Beijing in Ayungin Shoal and prevent friction during rotation and resupply missions (RORE).
When asked if he knew of any such provisional agreement, Teodoro said, “hindi ko alam, wala akong in-agreehan.”
(I don’t know. I did not agree on any.)
The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that there is indeed a "Provisional Understanding” with China incepted in 2014 but not a "provisional agreement basically covering RORE missions to Ayungin Shoal, but stressed it does not involve seeking permission from the Chinese for such operation.
Manila has always answered back Beijing’s illegal, aggressive and coercive actions within Philippine waters with diplomacy. In the recent Ayungin Shoal incident, Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself summoned Jing specifically to relay Filipinos’ “collective anger” on Beijing’s recent aggression as well as to call for a “reset” of Philippine-China relations.
But it was immediately after this interview when Jing stated China’s position still blaming Manila for what happened.
During the Philippines’ bilateral defense meeting with Sweden, Teodero called out Jing for saying such words right after his meeting with the president.
But even in the midst of talks with Beijing, aggressive acts of Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) in the West Philippine Sea continues. After the Ayungin Shoal incident where the CCG hit a Philippine Navy personnel in the head with a baton causing serious head injury. Days after CCGs cater cannoned the medical evacuation and food and fuel resupply missions of the Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to Filipino fishermen in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal).
This is why Teodoro said he does not engage sit in the negotiating table because China is a very “untrustworthy” neighbor.
The defense chief said the only talks that should happen should be one that is supported by the Filipino public, fair, based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and most importantly, built from the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award.
“Anong klaseng pakikipag-usap? Ang pakikipag-usap ay importante. 'Yun nga lang sa isang pamamaraan na suportado ng taong bayan at sa isang pamamaraan na patas,” Teodoro said.
“May sinabi si Secretary Lazaro na napakaimportante. Sinabi niya, kung anuman kasunduan o usapin, must be based on UNCLOS ganito ang importante must build on arbitral award. Malaking standard 'yun na ipinahiwatig niya. So, nakauumang din siya. Ang arbitral award ay talagang ipatupad. So, sinenyalan niya 'yun sa linggwahe nila,” he said.
(What kind of talks? Dialogue is important. However, it must be done in a way that is supported by the public and in a way that is fair.)
(Secretary Lazaro said something very important. She said that whatever agreement or discussion takes place, it must be based on UNCLOS—and what is important is it must build on the arbitral award. That is a major standard she conveyed. So, it is set in place. The arbitral award must truly be enforced. So, she signaled that in their language.)
