MANILA, Philippines- Itinanggi ni Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. nitong Linggo na sangkot ang Department of National Defense (DND) sa anumang kasunduan sa China ukol sa umano’y “new model” ng aksyon sa Ayungin Shoal.
Inihayag ito ni Teodoro matapos sabihin ng Chinese Embassy nitong Sabado na nakipagkasundo ang Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command sa China sa tinatawag na “new model” para sa pangangasiwa ng sitwasyon sa Ayungin Shoal.
Sinabi ng Chinese Embassy na inaprubahan ng Philippine government, kasama ang DND, ang nasabing “new model.”
Binigyang-diin ni Teodoro na kauupo pa lamang niya sa pwesto noong July 2023, at hindi umano niya pinayagan ang anumang contact sa pagitan ng DND at ng Chinese Embassy mula noong mag-courtesy call si Ambassador Huang Xilian.
“During the said courtesy call, there was no discussion or briefing on any ‘gentleman’s agreement’ or ‘new model’, which is contrary to the Chinese Embassy’s pronouncements,” giit ng DND chief.
“I would like to clearly state that any insinuation that the Department of National Defense is a party to any ‘new model’ is a devious machination of China through their Embassy in Manila, and it is curious that it comes right after their actions were condemned in the recent SQUAD meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii,” dagdag niya.
Ani Teodoro, ang “new model” claim na ito ay “clear attempt by China to advance another falsehood in order to divide our people and distract us from their unlawful presence and actions” sa exclusive economic zone (EEZ) ng Pilipinas.
Nauna nang inihayag ng Chinese Embassy na ang gentleman’s agreement, na kasunduan umano ng Duterte administration sa China, ay produkto ng commitment ng China na pangasiwaan ang sigalot “through dialogue and consultation with the Philippines.”
“To follow up on the important consensus between the two heads-of-state to deescalate tension in the South China Sea, the Chinese side and the Philippine side through AFP WESCOM agreed on a ‘new model’ for the management of the situation at Ren’ai Jiao early this year after multiple rounds of discussions,” anito.
Iginiit din ni National Security Adviser Eduardo Año nitong Lunes ang umano’y “new model” bilang ”nothing more than a new invention” ng China.
“As the President has clearly stated, there is no agreement whatsoever about Ayungin Shoal and that we shall continue to do all activities within the bounds of international law and we shall brook no interference in our lawful actions,” ani Año. RNT/SA
