Philippines rejects China’s calls for direct contact amid ‘miscalculation’ warnings
Manila says the channels failed to improve trust and were used by Beijing as a ‘smokescreen’ to mask ‘aggressive actions’ at sea
Retired Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, spokesman for the military’s operations in waters the Philippines considered its territory, said the channels had failed to improve trust, accusing Beijing of using them as a “smokescreen” for what Manila regarded as coercive and aggressive conduct.
He also said the Philippine military supported Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro’s decision to suspend direct communication channels with China.
