Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

The Pedro Murillo Velarde map or the Mother of all Philippine maps. A copy of the most accurate and earliest map of the Philippines, includes the island of ‘Panacot’ or Bajo De Masinloc as well as Scarborough Shoal, being part of the Philippine archipelago is seen at the Makati Museum. October 10, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177372910507920231010-makati-museum-JC-44.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The Pedro Murillo Velarde map or the Mother of all Philippine maps. A copy of the most accurate and earliest map of the Philippines, includes the island of ‘Panacot’ or Bajo De Masinloc as well as Scarborough Shoal, being part of the Philippine archipelago is seen at the Makati Museum. October 10, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>LAOAC, Pangasinan — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Tuesday dismissed a 1990 document published by the Chinese Embassy in Manila seeking to dispute the Philippines’ territorial claims to Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc, saying it carries no legal weight.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/16/ph-has-indivisible-sovereignty-over-bajo-de-masinloc-dfa-1756">PH has &#x27;indivisible sovereignty over Bajo de Masinloc,&#x27; alleged letter of concession posted by China Embassy &#x27;without value&#x27; — DFA</a></div><p>“That letter is not binding, at all,” Teodoro told reporters in an interview on the sidelines of a medical and dental mission in Laoac, Pangasinan.</p><p>The embassy over the weekend posted what it claimed was a 1990 letter by the late Philippine Ambassador to Germany Bienvenido Tan Jr.—a document Beijing is presenting as proof that the Philippines once acknowledged Scarborough Shoal is outside its territory.</p><p>According to Teodoro, China is exerting all efforts to spread disinformation about the West Philippine Sea.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2026/3/14/china-passes-controversial-ethnic-unity-law-0940">China passes controversial &#x27;ethnic unity&#x27; law</a></div><p>“‘Yan ang problema sa Tsina. Lahat ng pagsisinungaling ginagawa nila. Ngayon, yung mga pagbanat nila sa government officials, gawa ng meron tayong freedom of speech na hindi ginagalang sa kanilang bansa,” he added.</p><p>The Defense chief said the embassy’s move appears to be aimed at shaping perception among Filipinos.</p><p>“Sa tingin ko, ang pakay nito ay umakit ng mga Pilipino na baliktad ang nangyayari. Ang problema nila, kinakausap nila ang sarili nilang mga kababayan upang ipakita na malakas sila,” Teodoro said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/12/12/china-carrying-out-maritime-occupation-in-west-philippine-sea-analyst-1326">China carrying out &#x27;maritime occupation&#x27; in West Philippine Sea: analyst</a></div><p>He then continued, “May mga dalubhasa na nagsasabi na ang problema sa Tsina, ang Indo-Pacific engagement strategy nila is directly tied to the legitimacy of their ruling regime and serves the personal interests of their leaders. Kaya hindi ito makabatas, kaya lahat ng klase ng pag-iimbento ay ginagawa na nila. Ito’y internal political effort nila.”</p><p>Tensions continue as China claims almost the entire South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea.</p><p>Its claims have been effectively invalidated by the 2016 arbitral award, a decision that Beijing does not recognize.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><br/><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9Agx1Hrf2aA?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6bOoW8FfU7o?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>According to Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr., China is exerting all efforts to spread disinformation about the West Philippine Sea. </p>

According to Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr., China is exerting all efforts to spread disinformation about the West Philippine Sea.

Defense chief slams Chinese Embassy, says 1990 letter on Scarborough ‘not binding’

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Defense chief slams Chinese Embassy, says 1990 letter on Scarborough ‘not binding’

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 17, 2026 02:39 PM PHT

Read More:

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

Chinese Embassy

1990 letter

West Philippine Sea

Laoac

Pangasinan

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