The Department of National Defense (DND) raised concerns over China’s recent military and coast guard operations around Taiwan, saying the moves undermine regional stability and escalate tensions in the Indo-Pacific.
Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro said the heightened coercion around Taiwan affects not just cross-Strait relations but the broader regional community.
“The Philippines underscores the importance of upholding international law and regional norms, including the principles of peaceful management of disputes,” Teodoro said.
He stressed that self-restraint must be observed and international law must not be distorted.
Teodoro added that Manila supports “a free, open, stable, and rules-based Indo-Pacific, where differences are resolved through peaceful means without deception, coercion, or intimidation.”
China swiftly rejected the Philippine stance.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila said Taiwan is an “inalienable part of China’s territory” and called the issue an internal affair.
“The biggest threat to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is ‘Taiwan independence’ forces’ separatist activities and external connivance and support for these activities,” the embassy said, reiterating the one China principle.
“China firmly rejects the wrongful statement and has lodged serious protests with the Philippine side,” it added, urging Philippine officials to “stop interfering in China’s internal affairs.”