The Philippine military had supposedly entered early this year into an agreement with China over the South China Sea, the Chinese embassy in Manila claimed Saturday, May 4.
The embassy said that Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command agreed to a "new model" on the management of disputes over the waters, which was also supposedly approved by key Philippine officials, belonging to the Department of National Defense (DND) and the National Security Council (NSC).
China's latest remark came as the Philippine government already denied the existence of any agreement that would compromise the country's rights over the West Philippine Sea.
"This 'new model' announced by the Chinese Embassy is nothing more than a new invention," NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said on April 24, repeating other Philippine government's warning against the untruthful narratives.
But the embassy said that all "communication and negotiation on this subject matter is kept on record in every detail by the Chinese side."
"The above are facts, not narratives or inventions," it said.
Agreements
As the Philippine government continued refuting claims made by China, the Chinese embassy disclosed what it claimed to be deals that were agreed to by the Philippine side.
First was an agreement that was made in 2016 during the Duterte administration.
The Chinese embassy claimed that the Philippines agreed not to deploy any of its vessels or aircraft beyond 12 nautical miles or its corresponding airspace of Scarborough and would limit the fishing area of Filipino fishers.
In its latest statement, the embassy tagged the AFP Wescom, the DND and the NSC in the "new model" that was agreed by the Philippines.
"Thanks to the 'new model,' frontliners of both sides had guidance to follow on how to interact with each other, which made the resupply mission on last February 2 a smooth one," it said.
The embassy also said that even the AFP spokesperson described, in a post on X, one of the resupply missions as "flawless," supposedly after the implementation of the new model.
"In fact, on 5th of July 2023, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines [Huang Xilian] had the honor to pay a courtesy call on Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. at Camp Aguinaldo, exchanged views with the latter on China-Philippines military relations, and maritime issues, among other things," it said.
"During the meeting, the Philippine side was briefed on the 'gentlemen's agreement' on the management of Renai Jiao. Readouts of the meeting were released respectively by the DND and the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines," it added.
'Why deny?'
The Chinese embassy then posed a new question: "Why does the Philippine administration keep denying and resisting the understandings and arrangements?"
It said that the Philippines is "wracking our brains" because of the "more and more questions" that it is having.
Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the DND and the NSC already warned of the misinformation being spread by China supposedly to sow discord among Filipinos. The three agencies also warned of the narratives that are being made by the latter.
"Why does the DND refuse to properly manage maritime differences through dialogue and negotiation? Admittedly the 'gentlemen's agreement' was reached during the previous Philippine administration, it is also a fact that the 'new model' was reached during the incumbent Philippine administration," it said.