DFA warns vs China’s false claims on new Ayungin pact

WATER BLAST A Chinese Coast Guard vessel fires its water cannon at the Philippine resupply vessel Unaizah on May 4 on its way to a resupply mission at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea in this photo taken on March 5. —REUTERS

MANILA, Philippines — Finally breaking its silence, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) warned the public against “falling for false narratives” after China’s threat to release an audio recording supposedly proving that a high-ranking Filipino army official agreed on a “new model” in Ayungin Shoal.

In a statement on Thursday, DFA Spokesperson Teresita Daza said efforts such as this could indicate attempts to confuse Filipinos.

READ: Año belies China’s ‘new model’ pact for Ayungin, calls it ‘desperation’

“The DFA cautions against falling for false narratives,” said Daza.

“Resorting to tactics such as releasing unverifiable recordings of supposed conversations with Philippine officials could demonstrate efforts to sow discord and confusion among Philippine agencies and the Filipino public,” she added.

In the same statement, the DFA reminded diplomats to “strictly adhere” to the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (VCDR).

Daza, in particular, cited Article 41 of VCDR, which states that “…it is the duty of all persons…to respect the laws and regulations of the receiving State.”

She added that diplomats also “have a duty not to interfere in the internal affairs of that State.”

In an article published May 7, Bloomberg said China might soon release an audio recording allegedly proving that Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command chief Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos “agreed” to a “new model” in handling resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal.

Before the exposé, the DFA emphasized that only the country’s chief executive can authorize agreements entered into by the Philippine government on matters about the West Philippine Sea.