Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel apprehend a Chinese fisherman found near Kota Island, part of the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG). On September 28, the PCG drove away a Chinese militia vessel commanding 24 small fishing boats near the KIG. Photo from PCG.
Manuel Mogato | October 1, 2026
MANILA — The Philippines denied it was creating problems in the South China Sea, but pointed to Beijing’s presence and illegal activities as the real cause of tensions in the disputed waters. (Also read: Philippines drives out small Chinese boats from territorial waters on disputed shoal)
Retired Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, a spokesman for the West Philippine Sea, also defended Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., after the Chinese embassy in Manila blamed him for provocations. (Also read: Philippines drives out small Chinese boats from territorial waters on disputed shoal)
The Chinese embassy also described Teodoro as “extremely anti-China.”
“The source of tension in the region is not the law-abiding defensive posture of the Philippines, but the continued illegal presence, coercive and aggressive conduct and the deceptive messaging of the Chinese Communist Party,” said Trinidad.
Trinidad said the military will not be deterred from protecting the country’s interests by “external pressure and attempts” to undermine the defense establishment’s leadership. (Also read: Teodoro accuses China of “interference” in Philippine affairs)
“We remain steadfast in our sworn duty to protect our sovereign rights, preserve national security, and uphold the rule of law across our territory and maritime domains,” he added.
Trinidad also said the military “stands firmly” behind Secretary Teodoro and “categorically rejects” what it called “inflammatory” statements by the Chinese embassy.
“These attempts to personalize, deflect, and mischaracterize legitimate national security enforcement operations within our sovereign territory are part of narrative distortion or foreign malign influence,” said Trinidad.
A Chinese embassy spokesman, Ji Lingpeng, attacked the defense secretary, alleging that Teodoro has long been engaged in “attacks and smears” against China “in an attempt to gain political capital and serve his personal gains.”
Ji said Teodoro has also “disregarded the facts, distorted the truth, and seeks to disrupt and undermine the relations of the two countries.”
“He aims to drive a wedge between the peoples of the two countries and stoke confrontation between China and the Philippines and their peoples. But such attempts are doomed to fail,” Ji said in a statement.
However, Trinidad said the Chinese embassy has to respect the sovereignty of the host nation.
“Foreign diplomatic missions are expected to respect local judicial processes rather than act as publicists for unlawful activities of their nationals,” Trinidad added.