Chinese ‘wiretapping’ a desperate attempt to muddle WPS issue, says House leader

A House leader strongly condemned the reported wiretapping of the conversation between Chinese and Philippine officials regarding the “new model agreement” on the Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea as a desperate attempt to muddle the issue.

In a press conference, Deputy Majority Leader and Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the origins and motives behind the alleged wiretapping incident earlier exposed by Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro.

“Bakit lumalabas ang mga ganitong misinformation or mga wiretapping? Nagpapakita lang na medyo act of desperation na po ito, ano, para to muddle the entire issue,” Acidre pointed out.

Deputy Majority Leader and Isabela 6th District Rep. Faustino “Inno” Dy V called the alleged wiretapping incident as a breach of trust and violation of Philippine laws.

Dy echoed Teodoro’s sentiments, stressing that whoever is responsible for the wiretapping or recording of the conversation should face consequences for their actions.

“Kung sinuman po ang responsable sa pag-wiretap or sa pag-record po ng conversation na ito kung nangyari man po, they should be expelled or deported from our country or they should answer to our laws dahil bawal po iyong ginawa nila,” Dy said.

Regarding the next steps, Dy deferred to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to handle the investigation.

“Again, I will leave it to our DFA on how to proceed ito pong investigation na ito,” he said.

Assistant Majority Leader and Manila 1st District Rep. Ernesto “Ernix” Dionisio

joined his colleagues in condemning the alleged wiretapping incident, emphasizing the importance of holding the perpetrators accountable regardless of their nationality.

“Ako naman ay gaya ng mga kasama ko, I support Sec. Gibo Teodoro doon

sa pananaw nya na mali ‘yung ginawa na wiretapping,” Dionisio said. 

He continued: “We really should hold those people who did that accountable. Hindi na pupwede na porke na galing sila sa mas malalaking bansa na tatapakan nalang nila ‘yung mga batas natin. They should be held accountable.”

Teodoro had earlier urged the DFA to investigate the alleged recording of a phone conversation between a Chinese diplomat and a top Philippine military official discussing a purported new model agreement on rotation and resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal in the WPS last January.

He emphasized that if proven true, those involved should face expulsion from the Philippines for violating the Anti-Wiretapping Law and international relations protocols.

Teodoro expressed skepticism about the recording's authenticity, citing the Chinese government's history of engaging in disinformation campaigns. (END)

———— MULA SA KAMARA DE REPRESENTANTES, TERENCE MORDENO GRANA, NAG-UULAT PARA SA ARMED FORCE RADIO, BOSES NG KAWAK PILIPINO ————— This is Terence Mordeno Grana, reporting for AFP Community News, One AFP for Stronger Philippines.