Manila: Malaca±ang on Monday maintained that relations between the Philippines and China remain 'good' despite increasingly sharp exchanges between Philippine and Chinese officials over issues surrounding the West Philippine Sea (WPS). Palace Press Officer Claire Castro reiterated that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. wants the Philippines to continue to pursue its national interests and protect its sovereign rights through diplomatic means.
According to Philippines News Agency, Castro stressed that the Philippines remains committed to asserting its rights without resorting to provocation, aggression, or unlawful occupation. 'We could protect our rights, we could fight for our interests in a diplomatic manner. Wala naman po tayong probokasyon, wala naman din tayong aggression, at wala din naman pananakop na ginagawa ang Pilipinas sa kahit anong teritoryo (We are not engaging in provocation, aggression, or occupying any territory),' Castro said in a Palace briefing.
She added that both countries are merely carrying out their respective laws and policies. 'Ang China ay tumutupad sa kanilang batas at polisiya. Ganoon din po ang Pilipinas. Si Secretary Gibo ay tumutupad lang din sa kanyang mandato, kagaya rin po ng mga opisyal ng bansang China (China is implementing its laws and policies. The Philippines is doing the same. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. is simply carrying out his mandate, just like officials of China),' Castro said.
Asked how the administration characterizes Philippine-China relations amid the increasingly heated exchanges between Defense Secretary Gilberto 'Gibo' Teodoro Jr. and Chinese officials, Castro downplayed suggestions of a broader diplomatic rift. "Sa atin po, sa parte ng Pilipinas, tinuturing pa ring maganda ang relasyon ng ating bansa sa bansang China. Hindi naman po nagkakaroon ng anumang rift o sigalot dahil lang sa mga mensahe ng ating defense secretary (From the Philippine side, we still consider our relationship with China to be good. There is no rift or conflict simply because of the statements made by our defense secretary)."
Teodoro has emerged as one of the administration's most outspoken critics of China's actions in the West Philippine Sea, repeatedly accusing Beijing of engaging in coercive and unlawful activities that violate international law and undermine Philippine sovereign rights. The defense chief has consistently called out Chinese maritime activities in areas claimed by the Philippines, including the use of maritime militia vessels, the obstruction of Philippine resupply missions, and what he described as efforts to spread disinformation regarding the maritime dispute.
In response, Chinese officials have repeatedly criticized Teodoro's statements. Beijing also imposed sanctions against the defense secretary and his family, barring them from entering mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. Despite recurring maritime confrontations and diplomatic exchanges, the Marcos administration has consistently maintained that while it remains firm in defending Philippine sovereignty and sovereign rights, it seeks to manage differences with China through diplomatic engagement and adherence to international law.
