The Philippine Navy is treating China’s claim of “new model” agreement as a zombie story that should not be dignified, stressing that stories regarding it are all fabricated to drive a wedge among the Filipino people.
Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad, Navy spokesman for the West Philippine Sea, said that aside from the clear purpose of causing divisiveness among the Filipinos, the intention of the claim is to hide the intention of China in the entire South China Sea.
“I call them zombie stories, long dead but revived from the grave. The best approach is to put these stories where they rightfully belong - in the grave, never to be heard again,” said Trinidad.
He is referring to the supposed agreement between China, through its Embassy in Manila and the military’s Western Command, in the conduct of activities at the Ayungin Shoal.
Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro has already barred Department of National Defense officials from making any contact with the Chinese Embassy in Manila over what he described as devious machination to manipulate and the discussion on the West Philippine Sea.
National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, on the other hand, said the “new model” claim is fabricated and is aimed at hiding the reclamation being done by China to build a structure near the Pag-asa Island.
Trinidad agreed with the two ranking officials.
“These stories are all fabricated, products of the imagination of the Chinese Communist Party to divert attention from their violations of international law, to cause divisiveness among us Filipinos and to provide a smoke screen as they advance their agenda in the West Phil Sea and the entire South China Sea,” said Trinidad.