‘Disingenuous propaganda lines such as this only serve to expose China’s insincerity,' says the Philippines’ top defense official
MANILA, Philippines – Gibo Teodoro, the Philippine defense secretary, blasted China on Saturday, September 23, after Beijing accused Manila’s outpost in the West Philippine Sea of “discharging polluted water.” In a statement to media, Teodoro said China was being “hypocritical.”
The 2016 award also quashed China’s sweeping claim over practically the entire South China Sea. But China has refused to recognize this ruling and continues to harass Filipino vessels sailing in the West Philippine Sea, or parts of the South China Sea within the Philippine exclusive economic zone . The latest word war between Manila and Beijing comes after the Philippine military and coast guard said extensive damage was found in the marine ecosystem at Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal, features in the West Philippine Sea. Philippine authorities said this happened after vessels of the Chinese maritime militia were spotted in those areas.