Teodoro hits back at Wang Yi: ‘What is prudence? Tell a lie?’

Secretary of Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr. delivers a speech during the fifth plenary session at the Shangri-La Dialogue Summit in Singapore on June 1, 2025. Mohd Rasfan, AFP/FileMANILA — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Wednesday pushed back against China’s call for the Philippines to exercise prudence in its statements on maritime issues, saying Manila is merely telling the truth about the South China Sea dispute.

Teodoro made the remarks after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged the Philippines to “exercise prudence in its words and actions on maritime issues” during a recent phone call with Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro.

“We are always responsible. So, we hope we see the same kind of responsibility on the Chinese side. I mean, we have been more than responsible. We have been very careful,” Teodoro told reporters on the sidelines of the 97th Provincial Anniversary celebration of Misamis Occidental in Oroquieta City.

“We’re just telling the truth. What is prudence? Tell a lie? So, if what we’re doing is the truth and I can say it’s the truth, and they say it’s imprudent, they want us to tell a lie. Is that what they want? Or to hide the truth? Hindi naman siguro ganun ang pwedeng gawin natin,” he continued.

Wang also urged Manila to “faithfully implement” the one-China policy.

Teodoro maintained that the Philippines has not violated the policy, pointing out that the government has not recognized Taiwan as an independent country.

“Well, have we violated the one-China policy? Kung ako pinatatamaan nila, ‘yung post dun sa fanpage ko, nirepost lang namin ang post ng ibang tao, which has a factual detail—factual of all their troubles. So, we will edit facts just to suit them?” the defense chief said.

He went on, “The one-China policy is for us to decide. We have not recognized Taiwan as an independent country. That is the long and the short of it.”

Teodoro also defended the country’s freedom of speech, saying China cannot dictate what Philippine officials can say about Taiwan.

“Now, if they will dictate to us in our statements what they demand and what our freedom of speech entails, eh sa batas tayo sumunod. Freedom of speech ‘yan at tsaka wala tayong sinasabi na i-recognize natin ang Taiwan,” Teodoro stressed.

“Bawal na ba sabihin ang Taiwan? Bawal na ba sabihin na marami tayong trade and investment sa Taiwan? Bawal na ba sabihin na maraming Pilipino sa Taiwan?” he added.

Teodoro also said the Philippines has been willing to manage differences with China, provided its rights are respected.

He also stressed that his position is guided by the Philippine president, not the Chinese foreign minister.

“So, rendahan ang katotohanan? Kalimutan ang Arbitral Award? ‘Yan ba ang gusto nila? Let’s relate this dun sa position nila na shelve disputes. I mean we’re willing to do that if we get our rights. Kaso hindi, hindi ganun eh,” the defense chief emphasized.

“So kung ako ang pinapatutsadahan, nakikinig lang ako sa Presidente ng Republika ng Pilipinas, hindi kay Wang Yi,” Teodoro further said.

In a report by China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency, Wang and Lazaro agreed to responsibly manage the two countries’ differences, stabilize the situation, and expand areas of shared interests during their phone conversation.

Wang also reiterated Beijing’s position on safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity and achieving national reunification.

The diplomatic exchange came after the Philippines summoned Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan over his remarks that Beijing could easily win against Manila if it chose to use force.