SUMMARY
MANILA, Philippines – The latest from China in its continuing narrative on the Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) is that no less than Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. and National Security Adviser Eduardo Año had entered into an “internal understanding” and a “new model” with Beijing to keep the peace in the shoal. But Teodoro and Año branded this as mere propaganda.
Over the weekend, anonymous Chinese or foreign officials spoke with Filipino journalists about Ayungin Shoal, located just over 120 nautical miles off the coast of Palawan province. It’s a hot spot between both countries because the Philippines’ BRP Sierra Madre, which was ran aground in 1999 within the vicinity, now serves as the country’s outpost in the area.
In an exclusive interview, a “foreign diplom…