MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. disputed on Wednesday Vice President Sara Duterte’s remark that the Philippines was turning into Southeast Asia’s “troublemaker,” saying the description fits China for its aggression against Filipino troops at sea.
“China alone is the troublemaker here,” Teodoro told reporters in Filipino in an online interview.
“Obviously, nobody can say the Philippines is causing trouble because, first of all, we are a smaller country. We are only fighting for our country’s future,’’ he added, referring to Filipino soldiers who had been harassed by Chinese Coast Guard personnel while defending the country’s maritime rights in the West Philippine Sea.
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Duterte made the remark on Monday in response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s statement that alleged remittances by Chinese entities to a company linked to her husband were “a threat at the highest level,” if proved to be true. The allegations surfaced in Duterte’s impeachment trial in the Senate.
READ: Sara Duterte: Impeachment cases already failing; all evidence fabricated
The vice president also cited the discovery of a drug shipment bound for the Philippines from Laos and Thailand before saying the country was becoming “a troublemaker of Southeast Asia.”
‘Prove sincerity’
Teodoro also said that China must demonstrate sincerity, abandon baseless maritime claims and stop its “predatory activities” before direct military communications with the Philippines could resume.
He spelled out the conditions, rejecting the Chinese Embassy’s accusations that the suspension increased the risk of confrontation.
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The defense chief said the decision was made nearly three years ago and that diplomatic avenues remained open.
“Firstly, they must prove sincerity,” he said.
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Asked what specific actions Beijing should take, Teodoro said China must retreat from assertions of sovereignty and jurisdiction over areas where it had no rights under international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. /cb /atm
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