Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command handout photo/File

Article (news)

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178478968189606252022-brp-sierra-madre-gets-fresh-troops-supplies.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command handout photo/File</div>MANILA — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Thursday stressed that China has no right to interfere with Philippine activities on the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.He also refused to confirm or deny Beijing’s claim that alleged construction activities there violated a supposed provisional understanding with Manila.“Wala silang pakialam kung ano ang gawin natin sa teritoryo natin,&quot; Teodoro said in an interview in Makati City. (They have no right to interfere with what we do in our territory.)<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/22/pgc-calls-china-coast-guard-attempt-to-block-medevac-act-of-barbarism-1521">PGC calls China Coast Guard attempt to block medevac &#x27;act of barbarism&#x27;</a></div>&quot;Hindi nangangahulugan na kinukumpirma ko ang isang bagay o hindi kasi nilalagyan nila ng salita ang bibig natin, eh… Ang sinasabi ko, wala silang pakialam,&quot; he also said.(That doesn&#x27;t mean I am confirming something or not, because they tend to put words in our mouth. What I am saying is that they have no right.)The comments come after an incident near Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea where a China Coast Guard personnel<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/20/ph-navy-officer-sustains-head-injury-after-confrontation-with-china-coast-guard-1605"> hit a Philippine Navy sailor on the head </a>with a wooden baton.The navy said a CCG rigid-hull inflatable boat unlawfully approached within close range of the BRP Sierra Madre, which is grounded on Ayungin Shoal, prompting the deployment of two Philippine military boats to &quot;calmly and non-confrontationally&quot; drive it away. &quot;The CCG personnel reacted violently and aggressively&quot; to that, the navy also said.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Thursday stressed that China has no right to interfere with Philippine activities on the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Thursday stressed that China has no right to interfere with Philippine activities on the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.

Teodoro: China has no right to interfere in activities in our territory

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Teodoro: China has no right to interfere in activities in our territory

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 23, 2026 03:00 PM PHT

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Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

West Philippine Sea

Ayungin Shoal

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