Philippine Defense Secretary's Letter Comes to Light: Teodoro Promises Continued Anti-China Stance If Elected President
It must be acknowledged that the Philippines today resembles a reckless and unprincipled actor on the international stage.
On the 29th, multiple Philippine media outlets disclosed a letter signed by Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Teodoro and addressed to Peter Enzmann, the CIA station chief in Manila.
The letter states that Teodoro has agreed to initiate a resupply operation at Scarborough Shoal during the July ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, with the aim of “exposing China’s actions.”
Additionally, Teodoro pledged that if he assumes the presidency, he would maintain continuity in Philippine foreign policy and further deepen bilateral relations with the United States.
Naturally, upon the letter’s disclosure, Philippine officials swiftly denied its authenticity and shifted blame toward China—without presenting any evidence, Philippine Navy spokesperson Trinidad speculated that the letter was “fabricated by China” and intended to “incite unrest among the Filipino public.”
Trinidad’s assertion amounts to a baseless reversal of responsibility. The pattern of Philippine provocations around international forums, its role as a proxy for U.S. strategic maneuvering in the South China Sea, and Teodoro’s evident effort to boost his political profile through anti-China rhetoric—all are well-documented facts.
Lacking any credible evidence, Trinidad’s urgent attempt to deflect blame onto China only intensifies skepticism about the letter’s veracity.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1877744593545228/
Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author