The Department of National Defense (DND) has lambasted recent comments from the Chinese Embassy in Manila, describing them as 'insincere and duplicitous' in light of the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruling on the West Philippine Sea.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. made these statements on June 25, following China's dismissal of the PCA ruling, which rejected its claims over the South China Sea.
China's Claims and Philippines' Response
The Chinese Embassy's statement... is a window into the true intentions of the Chinese Communist Party in dealing with our Country.
Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Defense Secretary
China's comments came after the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reiterated the arbitral ruling. The Chinese Embassy labeled the decision as 'political manipulation disguised in legal garb' and declared it 'illegal, null and void.'
Teodoro called the claims 'not credible' and accused China of resorting to intimidation tactics.
Historical Context of the Dispute
The maritime dispute has roots dating back to 2009 when China asserted its so-called 'nine-dash line' claim over 90 percent of the South China Sea. This claim overlaps with the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) of several nations, including the Philippines.
While the PCA ruling is a significant legal victory for the Philippines, China has consistently rejected it and continues to assert its claims through military presence and coast guard patrols.
As tensions escalate, the Philippines remains committed to upholding its sovereignty and territorial rights in the West Philippine Sea.