South China Sea: Philippines denies striking deal with Beijing on disputed Second Thomas Shoal

Calling Beijing’s claim ‘propaganda’, Defence Secretary Teodoro said Manila would never enter into any pact that would compromise its claims in the waterway

The Chinese embassy last week said the two had agreed early this year to a ‘new model’ in managing tensions at the contested reef

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Philippine coastguard personnel prepare rubber fenders after Chinese coastguard vessels blocked their way to a resupply mission at the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea on March 5. Photo: Reuters

Published: 1:02pm, 27 Apr 2024

The Philippines on Saturday denied a Chinese claim that the two countries had reached an agreement over an escalating maritime dispute in the South China Sea, calling the claim propaganda.

A spokesperson at China’s embassy in Manila said on April 18 that the two had agreed early this year to a “new model” in managing tensions at the Second Thomas Shoal, without elaborating.

Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said on Saturday his department was “not aware of, nor is it a party to, any internal agreement with China” since President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr took office in 2022. Defence department officials have not spoken to any Chinese officials since last year, Teodoro said in a statement.

China’s embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Teodoro’s comments outside office hours.

Beijing and Manila have repeatedly clashed in recent months at the submerged reef, which Philippines says is in its exclusive economic zone but which China also claims.