MANILA – Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Monday rejected Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan’s proposal to establish a common fishing area in Bajo de Masinloc, saying the Philippines’ fishing rights in the area are already guaranteed under the 2016 Arbitral Award.

Speaking to reporters in Quezon City, Teodoro described the proposal as unnecessary and dismissed it as a public relations effort.

“Hindi tayo pinanganak kahapon. ‘Yan ay karapatan under the Arbitral Award. So, bakit siya magsa-submit ng proposal? Nandiyan na ‘yan sa Arbitral Award. So, anong gusto niyang mangyari ngayon? Tatanggap ka ng proposal na sasabihin mo dahil sa proposal nila kaya nagka-common fishing ground. Nakalagay na ‘yan diyan eh—common fishing ground within our EEZ (exclusive economic zone). So, sino niloko nila?” Teodoro said.

Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan earlier said he had submitted a proposal to the Department of Foreign Affairs to establish a common fishing area, describing it as a revival of a model implemented a decade ago.

Teodoro questioned why the proposal was made public only now, saying it appeared intended to improve China’s image rather than resolve maritime disputes.

“At bakit ngayon lang? At bakit sa publiko niya ginawa? PR ang gawa noon. Ngayon, sa kabila naman nito, ang dami nilang kabalbalan na ginagawa sa mga PR outlets nila. Hindi lang ito, pati ibang mga bansa ginagawan nila ng paglabag sa international law. Hindi lang sa atin, [kundi pati] sa Japan, sa India, ang dami nilang ginagawa. So ba’t ka maniniwala?” he said.

The defense chief also urged Filipinos to remain steadfast, saying China has historically used negotiations to prolong disputes.

“Sa kasaysayan nila, even before 1949… ang usapan sa kanilang lenggwahe ay hindi paraan upang matapos ang isang suliranin. Ito ay pamamaraan lamang na humaba itong suliranin para mapagod ka. Kaya kung kaya nila, sabihin nila we can wait thousands of years, tayo din. Kaya natin. At ang kaya natin, dapat umaabante tayo. Maraming tumutulong sa atin. Kaya huwag tayong magpapatinag,” he said.

As the Philippines prepares to mark the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Award on July 12, Teodoro said the ruling has strengthened international support for the country’s position in the West Philippine Sea.

He said more Filipinos now back the government’s efforts to defend the country’s maritime rights.

“So, ito, boses lang ng Pilipinas ang dapat marinig dito kasi atin ito. At kung meron tayong pakikinggan na boses galing sa dayuhan, yung mga sumusuporta sa atin dito. Yung mga hindi sumusuporta sa atin dito, hindi na dapat natin pakinggan yan,” he said.

Teodoro also rejected Beijing’s assertion that the arbitral ruling is no longer relevant, saying it remains the country’s legal basis under international law.

“Ang 10th year Arbitral Award na ‘yan, napakarami nang nangyari. Doon sa sinasabi nilang ibasura, papel, ang daming nangyari sa papel. Bakit? Dito sa papel na ito nakabatay ang batas, ang international law, ang ating mga karapatan at ang kinabukasan ng Pilipinas,” he said.

The Department of National Defense and the Philippine Army held simultaneous flag-raising ceremonies nationwide on Monday to commemorate the upcoming anniversary of the arbitral ruling.

At Camp Aguinaldo, the DND reaffirmed that the award remains binding under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, while the Philippine Army highlighted its commitment to the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Operations through its Land Defense Concept.

Teodoro said the arbitral victory has become a source of national unity, citing survey data showing that 86 percent of Filipinos support a firm stance in the West Philippine Sea.

“For the 10th year anniversary of the arbitral award, we need intensive cooperation. First, not to be swayed, that is called resilience. Second, we have seen that it is not just paper. It sparked a very broad convergence,” he said.

He also warned against efforts to weaken public support for the country’s maritime claims.

“Now, there are those trying to downplay it or deceive our stance on our rights. Filipinos must be 100 percent unwavering. We should not be swayed by the deceptive activities of those who want to destroy our unity,” he said.