China embassy’s ‘barking’ violates wiretapping law if claims true — Teodoro

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. during the Manila Overseas Press Club event in Makati City on January 23, 2024. INQUIRER.net file photo / NOY MORCOSO

LAOAG CITY, Philippines — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Wednesday said he does not want to dignify China’s “barking” about the purported “new model” on Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal situation.

However, if the Chinese embassy’s claim of holding audio evidence of the “new model” is true, Teodoro said its officials violated the country’s wiretapping law.

The Republic Act 4200 prohibits recording any private conversation without the consent of all parties.

Did China admit violating PH law?

“Kung itong statement ay totoong galing sa Chinese Embassy na sila ay nag-recording ng sinuman sa Pilipinas, sila ay umaamin na lumabag sila sa batas ng Republika ng Pilipinas, particularly the Anti-Wire Tapping Law,” Teodoro said in an ambush interview after a symposium in Quezon City.

(If this statement from the Chinese Embassy is true, that they have been recording anyone in the Philippines, they have admitted to violating the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, particularly the Anti-Wire Tapping Law.)

“Umaamin ba sila na sila ay lumabag sa batas ng Republika ng Pilipinas? Iyan ang kasagutan na dapat sa kanila tanungin,” the defense chief also said.

(Did they just admit violating the law of the Republic of the Philippines? The answer to that should be asked to them.)

Teodoro also urged the Department of Foreign Affairs to investigate the matter.

“Dapat alamin kung sino ang responsable rito at alisin sa Republika ng Pilipinas,” Teodoro said.

(Those responsible for this should be found out and expelled from the Republic of the Philippines.)

Chinese embassy threats

An embassy diplomat and Vice Adm. Alberto Carlos, chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Western Command had a phone conversation purportedly talking about the “new model”, according to a Manila Times report on Wednesday.

The Times further reported a ranking Chinese official on Tuesday presented a recorded phone conversation in which Carlos purportedly said that the entire AFP was on board the new pact in dealing with the situation on the shoal.

Carlos was on personal leave since May 3, according to AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla. However, Padilla said that this leave has nothing to do with the controversy.

There were rumors that Carlos was kicked out from his post after the “new model” mess. INQUIRER.net sought Carlos for comment, but he has yet to respond as of posting.

Nevertheless, Teodoro said China’s embassy claims are moot, echoing the Department of Foreign Affairs’ pronouncement that only the country’s president can authorize agreements entered into by the Philippine government on matters pertaining to the West Philippine Sea.

“Walang binigay na pahintulot ang Presidente o sinumang opisyal ng gabinete hinggil dito kaya mali ang pagtatahol ng mga opisyal di-umano ng Chinese Embassy dito,” he said.

(No permission was given by the President or any cabinet official regarding this, so the “barking” of Chinese officials is wrong.)