China using 'gentleman's pact' to deflect illegal activities in WPS: Teodoro

MANILA — Department of National Defense (DND) chief Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. on Tuesday urged Filipinos to "not lose sight" of China's illegal activities in the West Philippine Sea as more details of an alleged "gentleman's agreement" unravel.

"While we realize that accountability is important in the issue on whether or not a so-called 'gentleman's agreement' was forged with China regarding the BRP Sierra Madre and Ayungin Shoal, we Filipinos must not lose sight of the fact that the main threat to our rights in the WPS is the Chinese Government's illegal activities," Teodoro said in a statement. 

Duterte nagka-'gentleman's agreement' sa China tungkol sa West PH Sea: Roque

Former Palace spokesman Harry Roque earlier claimed that then-President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping struck what he called a "gentleman's agreement" to maintain the status quo in Ayungin Shoal, where Manila's military outpost, the rusting BRP Sierra Madre, in the West Philippine Sea is located.

NSC official dares Roque to explain alleged deal between Duterte admin, China

China has repeatedly cited the alleged deal to put the blame on the Philippines over the worsening tension in the West Philippine Sea.

But Teodoro said Beijing was using the "deal" to refocus the debate away from their illegal activities in the disputed waterway. He said Filipino must not fall into China's "trap."

"Let us not fall into the trap set by Chinese propaganda of refocusing the debate on a so-called promise while deflecting attention away from China's government, thereby freeing and allowing them to continue with their illegal activities in our EEZ," Teodoro said.

READ: 'Pinamigay na niya': Duterte-Xi secret deal meant giving away Ayungin Shoal - Carpio

The 100-meter BRP Sierra Madre began its life as the USS LST-821, a tank landing ship of the US Navy during World War II. The ship was later renamed the USS Harnett County and used as a floating base in the Mekong Delta during the Vietnam War.

A gentleman's agreement between the Philippines and US allowed the transfer of the ship to the Philippine Navy after it was used to transport thousands of Vietnamese refugees to the Philippines. It was later renamed the BRP Sierra Madre.

After decades of service, the BRP Sierra Madre was deliberately run aground in Ayungin Shoal in 1999 in an effort to check Beijing's advance in the contested waters.

REAFFIRMING US-PH ALLIANCE

Meanwhile, Philippine National Security Adviser Eduardo Año and his US counterpart Jake Sullivan reaffirmed the alliance between the two countries following the recent incidents of harassment by China in the West Philippine Sea.

The National Security Council on Tuesday said Año spoke on the phone with Sullivan the day prior, with the American official assuring and reaffirming the US’ “ironclad” commitment to the Philippines under the two countries’ Mutual Defense Treaty.

“They discussed the recent spate of illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive actions by agents of the China Coast Guard and the Chinese Maritime Militia in the country’s EEZ,” the NSC said in a statement.  

“Secretary Año expressed his appreciation for the United States’ continued assurances and reaffirmation of its ironclad commitment to the PH-US Alliance,” it added.

The NSC said the two national security advisers looked forward to the upcoming inaugural Japan-Philippines-US trilateral leaders’ summit in Washington D.C. next week.

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