Teodoro dismisses China's claim of recording Filipino general as illegal

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. dismissed the Chinese Embassy’s claim of having a recording of a Filipino general discussing a 'new model' agreement on the West Philippine Sea as a violation of Philippine laws.

Teodoro stated that if true, the Chinese Embassy violated international relations and Philippine law by failing to coordinate with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), emphasizing that Republic Act 4200 prohibits unauthorized interception or recording of private communications without consent from all parties involved.

He expressed doubt about the authenticity of the claim, suggesting it is part of China's misinformation efforts and urged the DFA to investigate and determine responsibility for this matter.

Philippine Navy spokesperson Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad echoed Teodoro's remarks, highlighting that today's warfare involves shaping public perception through narratives and information control, and stressed that claims about a 'new model' agreement are already a 'dead story' and should not be dignified with further attention.

On Wednesday, May 9, Teodoro said he doubted the authenticity of an alleged recording claimed by the Chinese embassy as proof of a supposed agreement to manage tensions in Ayungin Shoal, adding that if real, it is proof that the Chinese embassy violated Philippine laws and international relations.