MANILA – Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Sunday criticized the Chinese Embassy in Manila for rejecting the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) statement affirming the 2016 Arbitral Award, saying Beijing’s response reflects its “insincerity and duplicity.”

In a statement, Teodoro said the embassy’s remarks reveal what he described as the true intentions of the Chinese Communist Party in its dealings with the Philippines.

“The Chinese Embassy statement replying to our Department of Foreign Affairs is a window into the true intentions of the Chinese Communist Party in dealing with our country,” he said.

Last week, the DFA condemned China’s continued refusal to recognize the 2016 Arbitral Award, reiterating that the ruling is final and legally binding.

The Chinese Embassy earlier dismissed the arbitration ruling, describing the South China Sea arbitration as “a political manipulation in disguise.”

It also claimed that the Arbitral Award “distorted and abused” the dispute settlement mechanisms under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Responding to the embassy’s statement, Teodoro said, “It clearly shows their insincerity and duplicity which are amply personified by their Embassy officials. We condemn the arrogant display of deceitful indignation by them.”

“Hindi kapanipaniwala ang mga sinasabi kaya idinadaan sa alboroto (what they are saying is no longer believable, hence they are resorting to agitation),” he added.

Despite the exchange, Teodoro said the Philippines would not be intimidated by China’s actions.

“Hindi tayo pasisiil (We will not be oppressed),” he said.