MANILA. The Philippines’ military chief, Romeo Brawner, leveled serious allegations against China on Wednesday, following reports in a local newspaper suggesting a clandestine agreement between a Filipino vice admiral and Beijing aimed at easing tensions in the South China Sea.
The Manila Times published what it claimed to be a transcript of a phone conversation wherein a Philippine admiral purportedly acquiesced to China’s proposal for a “new model” of operations, involving reduced Philippine naval presence in resupply missions to troops stationed at the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, along with prior notification to Beijing about such missions.
While Reuters has not independently verified the contents of the reported phone conversation, The Manila Times cited January as the date of the conversation and attributed the transcript to a “ranking Chinese official,” whose identity remains undisclosed.
The Second Thomas Shoal has remained a focal point of tensions, witnessing numerous confrontations between China’s coast guard and Philippine vessels over the past year, exacerbating strained relations between the two nations. Despite China’s calls for the Philippines to avoid the area, Manila has steadfastly maintained its presence.
In response to the allegations, Military Chief Romeo Brawner dismissed the reported transcript as part of a “malign influence effort” orchestrated by the Chinese Communist Party. He cautioned against placing undue significance on such claims, emphasizing the ease with which transcripts can be manipulated and audio recordings falsified, particularly with advancements in technology such as deep fakes.
The Chinese embassy in Manila has not issued any official response to the transcript published by The Manila Times, nor to Brawner’s statement.
The unfolding situation underscores the ongoing tensions in the South China Sea, with both regional and global implications, as neighboring countries navigate complex territorial disputes in one of the world’s most strategically significant maritime regions.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
