The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) stated Wednesday that it respects the comments made by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. calling out China’s stance on the 2016 Arbitral Award during the Seoul Defense Dialogue in South Korea.
”We respect the statement and views of Secretary Teodoro. Other than that, I do not wish to further comment,” Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Assistant Secretary Analyn Ratonel said during a press briefing at Malacañang.
The defense chief’s remarks came after he received a note containing Beijing’s official position on the South China Sea while answering a question on the floor. According to forum organizers cited by South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency, a military attaché from the Chinese Embassy in Seoul passed the document to event staff to hand to Teodoro.
”I have a note here. I think this is from China. You should have joined. May I read it?” Teodoro said during the session before reading the message aloud.
The note reiterated that Beijing’s position remains “clear, consistent and firm,” alleging that the proceedings violated core international law principles and framing the Arbitral Award as “illegal, null and void.”
Teodoro directly challenged the statement, emphasizing that the tribunal operated under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
”‘The Arbitration violates fundamental principles of international law.’ What you signed, UNCLOS, you mean violates international law. That’s what you mean,” Teodoro responded.
Addressing Beijing’s rejection of the historic ruling, Teodoro added:
”‘China neither accepts nor recognizes the Award.’ Of course, because you lost. These are words slipped to me and there is a legal principle called res ipsa loquitur—the thing speaks for itself.”
The Defense Secretary also criticized the breach of protocol and decorum in delivering the note during an active panel, calling the gesture disrespectful to the host nation, organizers, and attendees.
”How do you expect to deal with it civilly? I ask you the question: Is this the right paper to post to me when I’m being asked a question on the floor? And how will you treat this kind of behavior?” Teodoro asked.
Concluding his response, the defense chief urged Beijing to adhere to basic courtesy in international forums:
”Now, in Filipino: Maging disente lang kayo nang konti. Mahiya naman kayo nang konti.”