Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. again rejected claims that the Philippines is a “trouble maker” or is escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
Teodoro made the remarks during a budget hearing after Sen. JV Ejercito asked how the government was responding to Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan’s earlier statement that China “may easily win.”
Teodoro said the ambassador’s comment was not the first statement from Jing that he considered threatening. He said the envoy had previously made remarks that also appeared to constitute a threat to the Philippines.
The defense secretary said the Department of Foreign Affairs had already summoned Jing and that it would be best to wait for further developments.
Teodoro also said the Philippines was objecting to what he described as false narratives, beyond the ambassador’s latest remark. He cited claims involving the nine-dash line and assertions that China has the right to operate in the waters near Batanes.
The nine-dash line is a claim raised by China in disputes over maritime areas in the South China Sea. Teodoro’s comments reflected the Philippine government’s objection to narratives it says misrepresent maritime rights and activities.
During the hearing, Ejercito’s question focused on how officials were addressing the ambassador’s “we may easily win” remark. Teodoro’s response reiterated that the Philippines should not be portrayed as the party provoking tensions in the disputed waters.
The Department of Foreign Affairs’ decision to summon Jing was the latest development mentioned by Teodoro. He did not detail what action might follow, saying officials should wait for developments.
Teodoro’s remarks come amid continued disagreement over maritime claims and activities in the West Philippine Sea. The defense secretary maintained that the Philippines’ objections were not limited to one statement, but also covered claims he described as false and misleading.
