Teodoro on Sara Duterte's call: PH not picking fights with China but standing its ground in WPS

The Philippines is not picking fights with China but is standing its ground in defending its rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said.

In an ambush interview on Wednesday, Teodoro was asked about Vice President Sara Duterte's statement that the country should avoid picking fights considering China’s military strength.

“Unang-una, and most importantly, hindi naman tayo nakikipag-away pero naninindigan naman tayo,” Teodoro said.

(First and foremost, and most importantly, we are not fighting but we are standing our ground.)

“I mean, the disparity of size is also a consideration pero kung pinaglalaban natin ay batas at kinabukasan ng ating mga susunod na henerasyon, I think there's no compromise. And I'll stop there. I think the Filipinos know that it is a false choice,” he added.

(I mean, the disparity in size is also a consideration but if what we are fighting for is the law and the future of our future generations, I think there's no compromise. And I'll stop there. I think the Filipinos know that it is a false choice.)

Speaking at a gathering with Filipino workers in Hong Kong on Sunday, Duterte suggested that resolving issues is better handled through diplomatic talks rather than heated exchanges online.

“Alam ninyo dapat kasi hindi nakikipag-away ang gobyerno o ang opsiyal ng gobyerno sa kahit na anong bansa dahil napaka-complicated ng relasyon ng dalawang bansa. Hindi lang siya isang bagay lang, maraming aspeto ang relasyon ng Pilipinas sa bawat bansa,” Duterte said.

(The government or a government official should not pick a fight with any country because bilateral relations are very complicated. It is not just a single matter; there are many aspects to the Philippines' relationship with every nation.) —VAL, GMA News