Manila: The Philippines is not stirring up trouble by standing up for its rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. emphasized on Wednesday. His comments came in response to Chinese officials, including the Ambassador in Manila, who claimed in various reports that the Philippines is escalating tensions and questioned the potential gains and consequences of such actions.

According to Philippines News Agency, Teodoro stated, "Unang-unang (First of all), what does the Philippines stand to gain for standing up for its rights? We become a country, a true country with all the entitlements of law, all the entitlements of international law," during the "Kapihan sa Manila Bay" briefing. The reports followed an incident on July 20, where two Filipino naval personnel were injured in a clash with the China Coast Guard (CCG).

The Chinese claimed the CCG was sent to inspect reported construction works on the BRP Sierra Madre, alleging it violated a "provisional agreement." The Philippines rejected this claim, asserting that a CCG rigid-hull inflatable boat, manned by eight personnel, approached the BRP Sierra Madre closely, prompting the Filipino contingent to launch two rubber boats to escort the intruders out. This confrontation led to the injury of two Filipino naval personnel.

Teodoro recalled the 1995 incident when China claimed their structures on Mischief Reef were merely refuge spots for fishermen. "Ano na ngayon yan (What are those now?)," he asked, referring to the now heavily militarized Chinese outposts in the area.

Furthermore, the DND chief remarked on the perceived threat in the Chinese statements against the Philippines' decision to assert its rights. "Sino ba ang nangugulo dito? May karapatan ba sila na gawin sa atin itong mga ginagawa nila dito? (Who is the one making trouble here? Do they have the right to do what they are doing to us here)," Teodoro questioned, highlighting the ongoing tensions between the two nations.