Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has rejected China’s accusation that the Philippines is “blackmailing” Beijing, calling the claim baseless amid ongoing tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

“Would you talk to or would you offer to talk to somebody who slammed your country that way? Of course not,” Teodoro said in a chance interview with reporters following the signing of the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement with Canada.

Chinese Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang earlier said Beijing “would never allow any provocation and trouble-making to work, nor would we leave any room for blackmailing the big by the small.”

China’s statement was in response to a recent Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) maritime domain awareness operation over Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal or Panatag Shoal.

The PCG reported that its flight encountered “aggressive interference by forces from the People’s Republic of China.”

Bajo de Masinloc lies 124 nautical miles off Masinloc, Zambales, and is within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines, but China has refused to recognize the decision.

‘Troublemaker’

Tensions further escalated after the Armed Forces of the Philippines, along with the Australian Defence Force, New Zealand Defence Force, and the United States Navy, conducted a joint maritime defense exercise in the WPS. The drills drew criticism from Beijing, which accused Manila of being a “troublemaker.”

Teodoro said China’s statement shows its disregard for international law.

“If China makes that statement that you invite an outsider in the open sea area, then it is indicative of how it views international law,” he said.

“So are they saying that they own the area or if they have exclusive jurisdiction and sovereignty over the high seas? If they say that, then you have your answer on how they regard international law, which is precisely why these activities have to continue, to uphold international law.”

He added, “So if China feels that it is an intrusion on an area, which under international law is a common area, then we refute that.”

Meanwhile, Teodoro said there are currently no plans or invitations to hold talks with China’s defense minister, citing what he described as a “lack of sincerity and respect” from Beijing in its engagements with Manila.

“There is no invitation to talk. Because there really needs to be lines of communication, normally, even if there is tension,” Teodoro told reporters. “But with them, we can see that there is no sincerity. It’s like the line is just trying to deceive us.”

He explained that conversations with China have not been productive and often lead to “statements that are not good,” adding that the Philippines prefers to engage with allies and partners that demonstrate genuine cooperation.

Growing concern

“Our conversation is with those who help us, who are sincere. Like ASEAN, the defense ministers of ASEAN,” he said.

Teodoro also noted growing concern among Southeast Asian nations about China’s actions in the South China Sea. Citing his Malaysian counterpart, he said ASEAN countries “must evolve positions on the South China Sea” and “cannot afford to gloss over that anymore.”

The defense chief criticized Beijing for failing to contribute to the Philippines’ internal resilience, pointing instead to the rise of “scam hubs” and the influx of “substandard steel” allegedly linked to Chinese operations in the country.

“What is being introduced here? Scam hubs. Substandard steel,” he said. “Their engagements are very tactical. So, I’m not saying that it shouldn’t be. But if we are going to talk, if we are going to coordinate, they should first respect our agreement and sovereignty.”

Teodoro reiterated that the Philippines remains committed to defending its sovereignty and strengthening regional cooperation with nations that share its values.

“That is what we are fighting for,” he said.