By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
In support of the administration’s unwavering support for the men and women who staunchly defend the Philippines’ territorial claims in the West Philippine Sea, the Department of National Defense (DND) maintains a steady course in its messaging on China’s provocative actions.
This as Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. condemned the ‘troublemaker’ remarks of Vice President Sara Duterte, in reference to the actions taken by Philippine troops on foreign vessels encroaching on the country’s waters.
He said in a virtual media interview, “Troublemaker? Masasabi mo ba ang ating sundalo na nagsasakripisyo diyan ay troublemaker? ipinaglalaban lang natin ang karapatan natin sa karagatan—na yan ang future ng sustainability ng ating bansa.”
Secretary Teodoro Jr. went on to underscore the importance of carefully scrutinizing public officials who are making transactions with China-based entities, without dropping names.
Recently, the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) confirmed during the impeachment trial that P319 million from Mainland China and Hong Kong was funneled through a company linked to the Vice President and her husband, Atty. Manases Carpio.
“Hindi bawal makipag-negosyo ang Pilipino sa China, pero ang question: Is a public official, first and foremost, allowed to have any business transactions on a certain level? Some are not. Ito ay dapat pag-aralan ng masusi kung ito’y above board, legitimate and proper.”
On bilateral military exchanges
Also during the virtual media interview, Secretary Teodoro Jr. reiterated his stance against the pronouncements of the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines that continue to put into question the lack of military-to-military communication between both nations.
Upon assuming office in 2023, the communication mechanism was suspended by the DND after talks with then-Ambassador Huang Xilian fell through.
“Inaabuso nila yung proseso. Actually, they are adversarial to us, to our interest. Ano ang intensyon mo? Wala naman tayong joint operations, wala naman tayong SOVFA [Status of Visiting Forces Agreement], wala naman tayong pagkakaisa sa UNCLOS [United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea], wala naman tayong like-mindedness.”
The Defense Chief said on China’s online rhetoric, “Sila ang may intention na mamburyo. Pag-aralan natin ang message na ito. Sila ang nagsasabi na lumapit tayo sa confrontation. Ibig sabihin, meron talaga silang masamang intensyon at nabuo ito.” (with report from Patrick de Jesus | PTV News)
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