Key facts
- Presidential spokeswoman affirmed commitment to diplomatic and economic ties with China.
- Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. rejected military-to-military communication with China.
The Philippines sent two contrasting messages to China on October 13. At the Malacanang Palace, a presidential spokeswoman stated that "China needs the Philippines, and the Philippines needs China," reaffirming commitment to diplomatic and economic ties. However, on the same day, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. rejected a proposal for military-to-military communication with China, a stance that received public backing from the Armed Forces of the Philippines.