MANILA — Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. on Friday, October 16, strongly condemned China’s recent diplomatic stance after a senior envoy boasted that Beijing could swiftly defeat Manila in an armed conflict, stating that the direct threat unmasks China’s true intentions in the West Philippine Sea.
Teodoro noted that while the comments made by Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan are deeply concerning, they must not discourage the Philippines from protecting its sovereign maritime rights.
“The statement is alarming. But if we allow ourselves to be frightened by it, to the point that we back down, we would no longer be able to defend our country,” Teodoro said in an interview.
The defense chief connected the envoy’s aggressive statements to Beijing’s increasing exasperation over Manila’s ongoing crackdowns and exposures of unlawful operations. These include illicit Philippine offshore gaming operators, the employment of substandard Chinese steel, illegal mining ventures, and human trafficking networks.
According to Teodoro, multi-agency government panels have successfully brought these hidden activities to light. He suggested that Beijing’s harsh rhetoric is likely a pressure tactic after traditional diplomatic channels stopped yielding favorable outcomes for them.
“I think they have reached a dead end. The usual channels they turn to are no longer giving them what they want,” he added.
Furthermore, Teodoro expressed approval of the widespread public backlash against Ambassador Jing’s remarks, noting that the strong national reaction proves Filipinos understand the gravity of the Chinese official’s declarations. He also cautioned that locals who echo or support the ambassador’s views expose a distinct lack of patriotism.
The Chinese diplomat sparked public outrage following his statements to reporters on Thursday, October 15.
Speaking at the second Diliman Dialogues hosted by the Philippines-China Studies Center of Diliman College in Quezon City, Jing claimed that Beijing could easily triumph in a military confrontation but refrains from doing so out of a supposed love for peace.
“If we want to use force, we may easily win. But no, we will not use force. You know, we love peace,” Jing remarked on the sidelines of the event.