Teodoro denies involvement in China ‘new model’ pact on Ayungin Shoal

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. on Sunday denied the Department of National Defense (DND) was involved in any agreement with China regarding a supposed “new model” of conduct in the Ayungin Shoal.

Teodoro issued the statement after the Chinese Embassy on Saturday said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command made an agreement with China on a so-called “new model” for managing the situation at the Ayungin Shoal.

The Chinese Embassy claimed that this “new model” was approved by the Philippine government, including the DND.

Teodoro stressed that shortly after he assumed office in July 2023, he had not allowed any contact between the DND and the Chinese Embassy since the courtesy call of 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,” the DND chief said in a statement.

“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,” he added.

Teodoro said this “new model” claim was a “clear attempt by China to advance another falsehood in order to divide our people and distract us from their unlawful presence and actions" in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The Chinese Embassy earlier said the gentleman’s agreement, which the Duterte administration supposedly had entered into with China, was the product of China’s commitment to properly manage maritime differences “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,” it said.

National Security Adviser Eduardo Año on Monday had also dismissed this alleged "new model" as ''nothing more than a new invention'' by 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," Año said.—RF, GMA Integrated News