Teodoro to China: Prove Ayungin garbage claim before int'l tribunal

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Thursday challenged China to take its claims before an international legal body that the Philippines dumped garbage in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

"Maniwala ka naman diyan sa mga 'yan. Accuse nang accuse 'yang mga 'yan. Kung may accusation sila, pruwebahan nila. Bakit lahat ng accusation nila ayaw nilang pruwebahan noong tayo ang nagdemanda sa arbitral tribunal?" he told reporters in an ambush interview.

(Why should anyone believe them? All they do is accuse. If they have an accusation, let them prove it. How come they don't present proof of the accusations when we were the ones who filed a case with the arbitral tribunal?)

"Magagaling lang 'yan sa ganyan. Kapag oras na kailangan pruwebahan na nila sa isang patas na proceeding sa ilalim ng international law, ayaw nila," he added.

(They are only good with accusations. When the time comes they have to prove it in a fair proceeding under international law, they back off.)

Teodoro also expressed doubt over the video released by China from a state media report alleging that a Philippine vessel burned and dumped garbage at the contested shoal.

'Fireworks'

Meanwhile, Teodoro also brushed off China's criticism that the Philippines was "playing with fire" by engaging in joint military exercises with other countries in the Balikatan Exercises.

"Sino ba ang pinakamalaking magpagawa ng paputok dito sa buong mundo kung hindi sila? Hindi ba sa kanila inimbento 'yung fireworks tapos sasabihin playing with fire tayo. Ano sila, hilo?" Teodoro said.

(Who is the biggest fireworks manufacturer in the whole world if not them? Fireworks were invented in China and then they will say we are playing with fire. Are they nuts?)

"Kaya nga 'yung fireworks olympics, sila lagi nananalo. Sila ang mahilig maglaro ng apoy," he added.

(That's why they always win the fireworks olympics. They're the ones who love to play with fire.)

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun made the statement during a press conference in Beijing on April 20 when asked about the Balitakatan.

"We wish to remind the countries concerned that blindly binding themselves together in the name of security will only be akin to playing with fire—ultimately backfiring upon themselves," he said.

GMA News Online has requested comment from the Chinese Embassy in Manila regarding Teodoro's statements, but it has yet to respond as of posting time. — VDV, GMA News