PH stirring up trouble? DND says China credibility ‘very low,’ more joint WPS patrols to happen

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 24) — The country’s defense chief on Friday called as “absolute falsity” China's claim that the Philippines is undermining regional stability by working with the United States in patrolling disputed waters, adding that Beijing should expect more similar moves in the future.

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro responded to China’s accusation that the country is “stirring up trouble” and supposedly violated a non-binding agreement on the conduct of states when it held patrols with the US in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) the past three days.

“Sino bang nananakop? Sino bang kumukubkob sa South China Sea, sa West Philippine Sea, lalo na? [Who is occupying, who is blockading South China Sea, and especially West Philippine Sea?]” Teodoro told reporters.

“It is China. The Philippines is not stirring up trouble. This is the reverse of the truth,” he said.

China’s credibility when it comes to issues in the WPS, the Cabinet official added, is “very, very low.”

Teodoro said the Philippines is not sowing disturbance and is merely protecting its rights in the waters, in accordance with international law — something “China purports to respect in words but unfortunately not in deeds.”

In a statement, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año also said the patrols were conducted within 40 to 140 nautical miles from mainland Luzon and Palawan, which is well within the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

“China's claim that our actions are allegedly stirring up trouble in the region is unfounded. We will continue to exercise our rights and fulfill our obligations to maintain peace and stability in the region in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Año wrote.

Teodoro said Manila will hold more joint exercises in the WPS, noting that other countries such as Japan, South Korea, and Canada have expressed interest.

“There will be several iterations of joint patrols, and this should not be an issue because it is within the rights of the Philippines… There are plans along the way for this year, next year, and succeeding [years],” he said.