Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela on Monday reaffirmed the country's sovereignty over the WPS while defending Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro against criticisms from the Chinese Embassy.
In a social media post, Tarriela said the Chinese Embassy had repeatedly targeted Teodoro for defending the Philippines' interests in the disputed waters.
"The Chinese Embassy had four statements and one round of sanction. All aimed at one man — Secretary Gilberto Teodoro — for the crime of defending our own country," Tarriela said.
He stressed that the Philippines' claim over the WPS is supported by international law, particularly the 2016 Arbitral Award under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
"Let us be clear: the West Philippine Sea is ours — affirmed by the 2016 Arbitral Award under UNCLOS, final and binding. Our sovereignty was never a gift from Beijing to give or take away. It will never be ransomed for fuel, fertilizer, or 'aid.' Assistance offered as leverage is not friendship — it is a leash. And the Filipino people do not wear one," he said.
Tarriela's statement came after Beijing opposed Teodoro's recent remarks, describing the Chinese Embassy's latest statement as proof of its "insincerity and duplicity" in dealing with the Philippines. Teodoro also called China's expression of "indignation" an act of "arrogance" following the Chinese Embassy's rejection of the 2016 Arbitral Award, a position criticized by the DND on Sunday.
Despite China's criticisms, Tarriela maintained that Philippine officials would continue to defend the country's sovereign rights and uphold the truth.
"You may call our officials clowns. We will keep telling the truth. We will keep sailing our own waters. We will never be silenced!" he said.
