AFP backs Teodoro move to scrap China military hotline

[Updated Oct. 13, 2026, 9:52 p.m.]

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday reaffirmed its support of Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.’s decision to shut down the military-military communications with China, as “actions” at sea must match bilateral dialogue.

This followed the Chinese Embassy in Manila’s criticism after the Department of Defense’s (DND) clarificatory statement that channels between the two countries had been discontinued shortly after Teodoro’s assumption of office in July 2023.

“For communication mechanisms to work they have to be anchored on mutual trust, sincerity and support for international law,” AFP spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad told reporters after a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo.

“Bilateral dialogue will be effective if the messages matched the actions on sea, air and ground. Unfortunately this has not been the case,” he added.

Trinidad further said that direct channels have been used by China as a “smokescreen” to sustain its “illegal presence, coercive, and aggressive actions and deceptive messaging” in the country’s maritime and land domains.

READ: Teodoro: Ayungin resupply to push through despite China interference

He explained that when the military communication channels between the two countries were cut, the order was implemented to all of the agencies of the DND.

“When we speak of direct communication channels, this goes all the way up to the way down. It’s implemented below,” he explained. 

He then said that the AFP will continue to perform its mandate to patrol and conduct its maritime awareness activities.

“We will keep performing our RORE (rotation and resupply) missions, there will be no letup on them,” he assured.

He added that the BRP Sierra Madre would remain a commissioned vessel of the Philippine Navy at Ayungin Shoal.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila on Monday evening slammed Teodoro over the suspension of the China-Philippine military communications, saying that channels should remain open despite the dispute.

It said that it is to “to avoid miscalculation and prevent tensions from escalating,” 

“His move fuels mistrust, narrows the space for crisis management, and pushes frontline personnel closer to confrontation,” it said in a statement. /mr

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