The Philippine Department of National Defense has rejected claims from Beijing accusing Manila of abusing its chairmanship of the 13th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) to restrict Chinese participation.
Chinese Defense Ministry Spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang criticized the Philippines after Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun skipped the October 29 meeting in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, sending the Chinese Embassy’s defense attaché instead.
Zhang claimed a “self-serving politician” obstructed Beijing’s involvement, violating ASEAN consensus principles.
“As the rotating chair of this year’s ADMM-Plus, the Philippine side has allowed a certain self-serving politician to act recklessly and abuse its chairmanship to put up obstacles to China’s participation,” Zhang said.
“Such moves seriously violate ASEAN’s principle of consensus through consultation and run counter to the open and inclusive spirit of the ADMM-Plus,” he added.
“They do not conform to basic diplomatic protocols, and undermine China’s legitimate rights as a member of the mechanism,” he stated, further alleging that “Many ASEAN countries have raised questions and opposition over this.”
Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. immediately dismissed the allegations, maintaining they do not reflect the consensus or position of ASEAN member states.
“No country has the right to characterize ASEAN processes except ASEAN member countries,” Teodoro said during a post-meeting press conference, noting that China was given the opportunity to present its views on regional security.
The 13th ADMM-Plus brought together representatives from ASEAN and eight dialogue partners—including the United States, Australia, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia, and China—to address regional security challenges like maritime security and counterterrorism.
Meanwhile, civic leader Dr. Jose Antonio Goitia expressed deep concern over reported Chinese underwater activities near Panatag Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc). He warned against potential security threats posed by unidentified equipment and suspected maritime militia platforms allegedly conducting unauthorized oceanographic research.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is currently investigating mysterious sensor-equipped hardware found aboard a vessel inside the shoal’s lagoon to determine if it is a submersible used for gathering strategic underwater data.
”China must stop treating our waters as though they are its own. Filipinos have endured enough intimidation and harassment in our maritime domain,” Goitia said.
“We have every right to know what foreign vessels are doing in our waters, and we will not accept activities that threaten our security or disregard our sovereign rights. We are not asking permission to defend what is ours,” he added.
Invoking the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Goitia underscored that marine scientific research requires prior coastal state consent. He also praised the PCG, Philippine Navy, and Armed Forces of the Philippines for their continued vigilance in safeguarding national waters.
”They see the pressure at sea firsthand. They know what it means to face vessels that seek to challenge their presence in our own waters,” Goitia remarked.
“The least we can do is give them our full support. The government and the Filipino people stand with them. They are not defending these waters for themselves. They are standing up for every Filipino,” he concluded.