'It's a bluff': Philippines unfazed by Chinese threat to crush sea incursions

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has brushed off China's latest threat to "crush" foreign incursions in the South China Sea, choosing instead to reaffirm its commitment to peaceful dialogue with Beijing over their maritime dispute.

Alex Lopez, spokesperson of the National Maritime Council, described the statement by the senior Chinese military official as a "general threat" that echoes China's previous pronouncements.

"It's a bluff. It's a narrative intended for the internal audience," Lopez said in an interview with GMA's DZBB on Friday, September 13.  

Lopez noted that the Chinese senior military official's warning specifically named the United States as the apparent instigator in the South China Sea, parts of which are called the West Philippine Sea.

"If you look at their threats in general and foreign forces, we can say that it's not really directed at us, but at America. Their criticism (patutsada) is aimed at them," Lopez said in mixed Filipino and English.

Amid its escalating maritime row and repeated run-ins with aggressive Chinese vessels, the Philippines continues to hold bilateral talks with Beijing over the conflict without giving up "even a square inch" of its territory, Lopez said. 

"Our preparations come in the form of our talks with China. The good thing is that China is also engaging in dialogue," he said.

After a month of trading accusations over incidents near Escoda (Sabina) Shoal, the Philippines and China held another round of talks on Wednesday where neither side backed down from their territorial claims in the disputed waters. 

While the meeting involved a discussion on how to "lower tensions in the area," the Department of Foreign Affairs said the Philippines also stood firm on its position on Escoda Shoal, a feature located deep within the country's 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone. 

At the center of the maritime conflict in the waters near Escoda Shoal is one of the Philippine Coast Guard's biggest vessels, BRP Teresa Magbanua. The vessel has been stationed there since April amid China's reclamation activities in the area.

Beijing has repeatedly urged the Philippines to tow the ship as it claims its presence violates