MANILA – Malacañang maintained that the Philippines continues to have good relations with China despite increasingly sharp exchanges between Philippine and Chinese officials over the West Philippine Sea.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. remains committed to protecting the country’s national interests and sovereign rights through diplomatic means.

“We could protect our rights, we could fight for our interests in a diplomatic manner. Wala naman po tayong probokasyon, wala naman din tayong aggression, at wala din naman pananakop na ginagawa ang Pilipinas sa kahit anong teritoryo (We are not engaging in provocation, aggression, or occupying any territory),” Castro said during a Palace briefing.

She said both the Philippines and China are carrying out their respective laws and policies.

“Ang China ay tumutupad sa kanilang batas at polisiya. Ganoon din po ang Pilipinas. Si Secretary Gibo ay tumutupad lang din sa kanyang mandato, kagaya rin po ng mga opisyal ng bansang China (China is implementing its laws and policies. The Philippines is doing the same. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. is simply carrying out his mandate, just like officials of China),” Castro said.

Asked about the administration’s assessment of Philippine-China relations amid the exchange of statements between Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. and Chinese officials, Castro dismissed suggestions that the remarks have caused a diplomatic rift.

“Sa atin po, sa parte ng Pilipinas, tinuturing pa ring maganda ang relasyon ng ating bansa sa bansang China. Hindi naman po nagkakaroon ng anumang rift o sigalot dahil lang sa mga mensahe ng ating defense secretary (From the Philippine side, we still consider our relationship with China to be good. There is no rift or conflict simply because of the statements made by our defense secretary).”

Teodoro has repeatedly criticized China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea, accusing Beijing of engaging in coercive and unlawful activities that violate international law and infringe on Philippine sovereign rights.

He has also spoken against the presence of Chinese maritime militia vessels, the obstruction of Philippine resupply missions, and what he described as efforts to spread disinformation regarding the maritime dispute.

Chinese officials have repeatedly responded to Teodoro’s statements, and Beijing has imposed sanctions on the defense secretary and his family, barring them from entering mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau.

Despite recurring maritime incidents and diplomatic exchanges, the Marcos administration said it remains committed to defending Philippine sovereignty and sovereign rights while managing differences with China through diplomacy and adherence to international law.