Verbal Clash at Shangri-La Dialogue Over South China Sea Dispute
At the recent Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, a heated exchange took place involving Department of National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and some young Chinese nationals who reportedly posed as journalists. The confrontation revolved around the ongoing South China Sea dispute, with the Chinese individuals challenging Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.
This incident unfolded on the sidelines of Asia’s leading defense summit. Secretary Teodoro and General Brawner appeared in a rare personal video on May 31 to respond to a controversial news report published by a Chinese state-controlled English-language newspaper. The article accused the Philippine military chief of evading questions about the maritime conflict between China and the Philippines.
Encounter Outside Formal Meetings
According to officials familiar with the matter, the encounter happened on May 30 when Gen. Brawner was heading to a scheduled bilateral meeting with other defense leaders. Outside the formal sessions, several young Chinese nationals approached him, attempting to ask questions about the South China Sea dispute. Due to time constraints, Brawner did not respond to their inquiries.
He later criticized the individuals for breaching protocol and selectively editing footage to distort the event. “Kahapon hinarang ako at ‘yun nga pinipilit tayong tanungin pero dahil nagmamadali kami, pupunta kami doon sa isang meeting namin, bilateral meeting, hindi ko sinagot. But then later on, naglabas sila sa WeChat, binaliktad nila ‘yung istorya,” Brawner explained.
Defense Secretary Teodoro Defends Military Chief
Secretary Teodoro encountered the same group and engaged in a lengthy verbal exchange. When questioned if the Philippines was merely a proxy of the United States, Teodoro firmly denied the claim, emphasizing the country’s sovereignty. “Sabi ko, hindi tayo proxy, natural Pilipino tayo, pero sila magnanakaw ng teritoryo,” he stated.
He also criticized China for not sending a senior defense official to the summit, instead deploying young individuals whom he suspects to be intelligence agents. Teodoro expressed disapproval of their aggressive and impolite questioning style.
Filipino Officials Reject Propaganda Claims
Gen. Brawner also addressed the false narrative propagated by these so-called journalists, who accused the Philippines of encroaching on Chinese territory. “Iyon nga ang paratang nila na tayo ang nagiinfiltrate or encroach, pumapasok sa teritorya nila,” he said.
The Philippines and China remain locked in a territorial dispute over the South China Sea. Beijing claims areas within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone, including parts of the West Philippine Sea. Despite a 2016 international arbitral ruling invalidating China’s territorial claims based on the so-called nine-dash line, Beijing continues to assert control over the contested waters.
The confrontation at the Shangri-La Dialogue highlights the ongoing tensions and the complex diplomatic challenges surrounding the South China Sea dispute.
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