The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) clarified that the Philippines has not reached any agreements with China regarding the Ayungin Shoal, refuting claims made by Beijing about a purported “new model” for addressing territorial disputes.
In a statement, the DFA emphasized that the Philippines has not abandoned its sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, including the Ayungin Shoal.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and National Security Adviser Eduardo Año rejected the Chinese Embassy’s assertions, calling them “devious machination” and “absolutely absurd, ludicrous, and preposterous,” respectively.
The DFA urged China to cease disseminating disinformation and instead consider diplomatic channels to manage differences, including convening the next Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea meeting.
Source: PhilNews24 | May 6, 2024
