Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Thursday brushed off Beijing’s description of the South China Sea as a “shared home,” stating that China’s ongoing operations within the West Philippine Sea directly contradict its peaceful, cooperative rhetoric.
Briefing reporters in Makati City following a meeting with Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson, Teodoro raised doubts over Beijing’s calls for joint stewardship while simultaneously asserting sovereignty over nearly 90 percent of the South China Sea, including areas inside the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
“Sinasabi ko na hindi titigil ang mga ‘yan. Pero nandito sila, nagsasabi na kaibigan ang lahat, tapos shared home daw ang South China Sea. Papaano tayo magse-shared home kung inaangkin mo ang 90%? Sino ang niloloko nila? Pagkatapos, magsasabi sila na gusto nila ay kapayapaan. Tapos ganito ang ginagawa nila. Eh, papaano tayo maniniwala diyan sa mga ‘yan?” Teodoro said.
He noted that if Beijing is genuinely committed to regional harmony, it should vacate the areas it occupies, emphasizing that its extensive maritime assertions lack international recognition.
“Nandito lang ang mga ‘yan siguro hindi maganda ang intensyon. Kung maganda talaga ‘yung intensyon, umalis na sila sa sinasakop nila at pinagpipilitan na nila na wala sa lugar at walang naniwala sa kanila kung hindi ‘yung mga tao na walang kalayaan sa bansa nila,” he stressed.
The defense chief also dismissed statements from Chinese Ambassador Guo Wei, who blamed recent tensions near Ayungin Shoal on Philippine repair works that allegedly breached a “provisional understanding.”
“Wala akong alam doon sa provisional understanding. Wala silang pakialam kung anong gawin natin sa teritoryo natin,” Teodoro said.
“Hindi na nangangahulugan na kinokumpirma ko ang isang bagay o hindi, kasi nilalagyan nila ng salita ‘yung bibig natin. So, hindi ko kinokumpirma ‘yan. Pero ang sinasabi ko, wala silang pakialam,” he added.
Teodoro further accused Beijing of fabricating narratives to rationalize its footprint in disputed waters, citing the 1995 occupation of Mischief Reef as a prime example of this tactic.
“Gusto nilang kontrolahin ‘yung area. Mangiimbento ‘yan ng violation. Katulad nung malaking kasinungalingan nila doon sa Mischief Reef noong 1995… Gumagawa talaga ng istorya ang mga ‘yan para magkaroon sila ng paraan kung paano ka pasukin,” he said.
He cautioned that China will persist with its aggressive pursuits unless actively challenged.
“May intensyon ‘yan, hindi titigil ‘yan. Nasa atin na nasupilin ‘yan at itigil ‘yan,” he added.
Nevertheless, Teodoro reiterated that Manila remains open to diplomatic dialogue, provided discussions align with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the binding 2016 Arbitral Award.
“Ang pakikipag-usap ay importante… pero dapat supported ng taumbayan at sa isang pamamaraan na patas,” he said.
He emphasized that while diplomatic avenues must remain open, the country must ensure it is not taken advantage of during talks.
“Pero kailangan, handa ka na ‘wag malamangan sa pakikipag-usap… Ang diplomasya, kailangan nariyan palagi. Pero kailangan handa rin tayo,” he said.
Teodoro reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting the nation’s sovereignty and maritime entitlements in the West Philippine Sea despite persistent challenges.