The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) says it supports Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.’s move to suspend direct military-to-military communication channels with China. The AFP statement follows criticism from the Chinese Embassy in Manila after the Department of National Defense (DND) clarified that the channels were discontinued shortly after Teodoro took office in July 2023.
AFP officials say communication mechanisms only work when anchored in mutual trust, sincerity, and respect for international law. One outlet also frames the decision as a response to China’s alleged effort to use engagement talks as a “smokescreen” to maintain an illegal presence in Philippine maritime territory, reflecting the broader concern about activity at sea. Other coverage focuses more on the dispute between the Philippine government’s position and the embassy’s criticism, while reiterating that the AFP aligns with DND’s action.
Overall, outlets agree that the suspension is presented by Manila as conditional on international-law compliance, and by Beijing as part of a wider diplomatic and military signaling disagreement.
