Malacañang on Monday said the Philippines’ relations with China remain “good” despite the exchange of sharp statements between Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and the Chinese Embassy over the South China Sea dispute.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Teodoro and Chinese officials were merely carrying out their respective mandates in asserting their countries’ positions and enforcing their laws and policies.
“Wala naman po tayong probokasyon, wala naman po tayong aggression at wala naman din pong pananakot na ginagawa ang Pilipinas kahit kanino mang teritoryo,” Castro said.
“We have no provocation, no aggression, and the Philippines is not threatening anyone’s territory,” she added.
Castro said China is acting based on its own laws and policies, while the Philippines is doing the same.
“Ang bansang China ay tumutupad sa kanilang batas at sa kanilang polisiya, ganoon din po ang Pilipinas. At si Secretary Gibo ay tumutupad lang din sa kaniyang mandato, kagaya rin po ng mga opisyales ng bansang China,” she said.
“China is complying with its laws and policies, and so is the Philippines. Secretary Gibo is also only complying with his mandate, just like the officials of China,” she added.
Despite the strongly worded remarks, Castro said Manila does not view the exchange as a diplomatic rift.
“Sa atin po, sa parte po ng Pilipinas, itinuturing pa rin pong maganda ang relasyon ng ating bansa sa bansang China,” she said.
“On the part of the Philippines, we continue to consider our relationship with China to be good,” she added.
“So, hindi naman po nagkakaroon ng anumang rift o sigalot dahil lang sa mga mensahe ng ating Defense Secretary,” Castro said.
“There is no rift or conflict between our two countries because of the statements made by our Defense Secretary,” she added.
Teodoro earlier accused China of insincerity over its continued rejection of the 2016 arbitral ruling, which invalidated Beijing’s sweeping claims over almost the entire South China Sea.
The Chinese Embassy, in response, accused Teodoro of vilifying China and described his remarks as irresponsible and “pure political theatrics.”
Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remains committed to resolving disputes with China through diplomacy.
“We could protect our rights, we could fight for our interest in a diplomatic manner — iyan naman po ang nais ng Pangulo,” she said.
“We could protect our rights, we could fight for our interest in a diplomatic manner — that is what the President wants,” she added.