‘We are not at war with China,’ says Teodoro

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro speaks at Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing on Wednesday, October 25, 2023. (Photo from PTV)

MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro on Wednesday made it clear: the Philippines is not warring with China.

During the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing, Teodoro emphasized the Philippines is only defending its sovereign territorial rights.

“Itong lahat na ito, yung swarming, yung illegal activities nila doon, yung pagharang, plano nito ng China talaga na sakupin ang buong South China Sea na ating dapat tutulan,” said Teodoro.

(All of these – the swarming, the illegal activities there, the blocking, China’s plans to invade the entire South China Sea, which we must oppose.)

“Maliwanag po na hindi tayo nakikipag-digmaan sa China. Pinoproteksyonan lang natin ang sa atin sa ilalim ng international law,” he clarified.

(It is clear that we are not at war with China. We are just protecting what is ours under international law.)

According to Teodoro, China’s narrative that the Philippines is intruding on its territory is an affront to the Philippines.

“It is a ridiculous assertion of international law or a revision of international law to suit their expansionist ends,” said Teodoro.

Chinese vessels previously hit two Philippine vessels that were on a resupply mission to the West Philippine Sea outpost BRP Sierra Madre.

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