Push Admin

DND chief calls China 'insincere, hypocrite' over marine destruction in WPS

Article (news)

Job Manahan, ABS-CBN News 

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Recent aerial patrols conducted by WESCOM" s="" air="" assets="" have="" revealed="" a="" concerning="" resurgence="" of="" Chinese="" swarming="" activity="" in="" the="" West="" Philippine="" Sea="" The="" patrols="" conducted="" on="" September="" and="" provided="" insight="" into="" presence="" Fishing="" Vessels="" specific="" locations="" within="" WPS.="" Photos="" courtesy="" AFP="" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/afp/09/14/chinese-fishing-vessels-afp-09142023.jpg"/><figcaption>Recent aerial patrols conducted by WESCOM&#x27;s air assets have revealed a concerning resurgence of Chinese (CN) swarming activity in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). The patrols conducted on September 6 and 7 have provided insight into the presence of Chinese Fishing Vessels (CFVs) in specific locations within the WPS. <em>Photos courtesy of AFP WESCOM</em>. </figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro on Saturday described China as &quot;insincere&quot; and a &quot;hypocrite&quot; after the Asian power said the grounded BRP Sierra Madre is causing environmental problems in the West Philippine Sea. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/19/23/china-allegedly-harvested-then-dumped-crushed-corals">China dumped crushed corals in parts of West PH Sea: Coast Guard</a></li></ul><p>A spokesperson for the China&#x27;s foreign ministry recently said if the Philippines is really concerned about the environment, then its should remove BRP Sierra Madre, which it said is an &quot;<a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/amp/news/09/21/23/china-denies-collecting-corals-from-west-ph-sea">illegally grounded warship</a>.&quot; </p><p>Teodoro, however, said it was China that continues to damage the environment in the South China Sea due to its illegal reclamation activities. </p><p>&quot;The statement of China that the grounded Sierra Madre is causing irrevocable harm is to put it as politely as possible — hypocritical,&quot; said the defense chief. </p><p>&quot;China was found to be a violator of international law in the 2016 Arbitral Award when such activities damaged the marine environment,&quot; he added.</p><p>What Beijing continued to do, he said, was spread &quot;disingenuous propaganda lies&quot; that only exposes their &quot;insincerity.&quot; </p><p>&quot;[It] will only heighten the mistrust by the Filipino people and the rest of the world of the Chinese Government,&quot; he said. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/20/23/china-should-pay-billions-for-reef-destruction-hontiveros">China should pay billions for reef destruction: Hontiveros</a></li></ul><p>The Armed Forces of the Philippines last week said it had seen the effects of coral harvesting in Rozul Reef that left the seabed barren.</p><p>The Philippine Coast Guard on Monday backed the military&#x27;s report, adding it saw similar ecological damage at Escoda Shoal.</p><p>The justice department, for its part, said the Philippine government may again<a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/22/23/philippines-mulls-new-complaint-vs-china-before-hague"> file a complaint</a> against China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration due to alleged violations of environmental laws in the West Philippine Sea. </p><p>An international maritime expert earlier said he fears the collapse of Philippine fisheries if China&#x27;s wanton destruction of coral reefs in the West Philippine Sea remains unchecked. </p><p>Dr. Deo Onda, a scientist from the University of the Philippines’ Marine Science Institute, earlier estimated that the Philippines was losing around P33.1 billion annually from the damaged reef ecosystems in Panatag Shoal and Spratlys Islands due to China’s reclamation activities in the area. </p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=2809326" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div>

Beijing's statement 'will only heighten the mistrust by the Filipino people and the rest of the world of the Chinese Government,' Teodoro said. 

DND chief calls China 'insincere, hypocrite' over marine destruction in WPS

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

News

DND chief calls China 'insincere, hypocrite' over marine destruction in WPS

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published September 23, 2023 03:37 PM PHT

Read More:

China

DND

Department of National Defense

Gilbert Teodoro

South China Sea

West Philippine Sea

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.