Teodoro doubts China’s sincerity in South China Sea Code

MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. doubts China’s intention to negotiate and conclude a legally binding Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea.

He questioned yesterday China’s sincerity to negotiate for a code to manage the South China Sea disputes peacefully as Beijing continues its island-building and militarization activities.

“Right now, I don’t. Honestly speaking, I do not see that,” Teodoro told reporters.

“And the President also echoed that in saying that we cannot turn a blind eye on what is happening in the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea,” he said.

President Marcos called for urgency from Southeast Asian leaders and China at the ASEAN Summit in Laos on Friday to speed up negotiations on a COC, while accusing Beijing of harassment and intimidation.

“Well, they (China) are committed to dialogue but they are the only ones believing in what they are saying, that’s the problem,” Teodoro said.

“If they are really committed to dialogue, it should be believable. Then what’s indicated… is (that they are) committed to dialogue based on historical facts. What kind of dialogue is that? It’s a monologue that only they believe in. So we are committed to dialogue too, as long as we know we are not being fooled,” he added.

The Philippines, Teodoro said, looks forward to good faith and continuing discussions for a COC.

Russia slammed for ‘meddling’

Russia “has no business” helping China block a draft statement by ASEAN expressing concern on territorial disputes in the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, according to Cagayan de Oro City Second District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez.

“Russia should not have blocked the ASEAN statement. Moscow has no business meddling in disputes in this part of our region,” Rodriguez said, as he commended President Marcos for taking a clear stand defending the Philippine territory.

Russia’s decision to help China junk ASEAN’s expression of concern “was motivated only by self-interest.”

“It’s an expression of gratitude to Beijing over the latter’s support for the illegal and unjustified ‘military operation’ of Russia in Ukraine, and the continued killing of Ukrainian civilians,” he added.

Rodriguez, chairman of the House committee on constitutional amendments, noted that the ASEAN statement was to be presented at last week’s East Asia Summit in Laos, which 18 regional leaders, including those from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations attended.

Rodriguez said that by helping China block the ASEAN statement, Russia expressed its approval of Chinese intrusion into Philippine waters and its aggressive activities in the disputed areas, including its bullying, harassment and ramming of Philippine vessels, their crew and Filipino fishermen.

The blocking of the ASEAN expression of concern prompted Laos, which chaired the East Asia Summit, to issue a unilateral statement on the conference.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang reportedly wanted discussions limited to economic issues during a meeting with ASEAN leaders in the course of the summit in Laos.

But Marcos boldly told him that economic and political issues are interconnected, and that China could not pretend that all is well on the economic front while there are tensions on the political and security front.

Several summit attendees, including the United States, Australia and Singapore, have expressed support for the ASEAN statement and the Philippine position on regional security concerns. — Delon Porcalla