The Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) strongly denounced the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs for accusing certain Philippine uniformed personnel of “habitually inciting confrontation” regarding the West Philippine Sea.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun claimed on January 19 that some Philippine service members were “driven by personal political motives” and had “repeatedly made outrageous and absurd statements.”
In response, DND spokesperson Asec. Arsenio Andolong said in a statement that the Philippines rejects such allegations.
“The Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines strongly condemn such an affront to any of its members and reiterates that it shall not be cowed by any official of the PROC (People’s Republic of China), whether in their homeland or as guests here,” Andolong said.
He added, “We shall continue to speak against their lies and malign actions when such are committed.”
The DND described China’s statement as an “unflinching and twisted attempt” to “spread distorted narratives and continue with its ineffective and distasteful campaign to bully smaller countries.”
Andolong emphasized that the West Philippine Sea and its features have never been part of China and affirmed that the DND and AFP will continue performing their duty “to stop the PROC’s malign influence and illegal activities” in Philippine waters.
