Philippine defence chief says China talks ‘not possible’ as anti-spy laws loom
For a man sanctioned by Beijing, barred from visiting China and accused of damaging bilateral ties, Gilberto Teodoro Jnr sounded remarkably composed.
Composed, that is, until the conversation turned to the South China Sea – the very subject that landed him in hot water in the first place.
In an interview this week, the Philippines’ defence chief said that Manila would keep only limited military communication channels open with Beijing, while ruling out broader engagement unless China changed its conduct around Scarborough Shoal and other contested areas.
“Carefully controlled communications are necessary, but negotiations and other activities are not possible, unfortunately, because of the lack of good faith on their part and a lack of respect for our territorial integrity,” Teodoro told reporters after he and military chiefs had met President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr for a command conference late on Tuesday.
His remarks followed earlier reports that the Philippine defence and armed forces attache in Beijing, Navy Captain Arnold Fortin, and his staff had been recalled to Manila for “consultations”. Teodoro told local news site Rappler the move was part of a “process of re-establishing and readjusting” postings under a “new engagement framework”.