The defense chief of the Philippines has called for an investigation into a recording of an alleged phone conversation between a Chinese official and a senior Philippine military commander regarding a disputed shoal in the South China Sea.
The Chinese embassy in Manila released the recording this week to support Beijing’s claims of an informal agreement between the two nations regarding Second Thomas Shoal, which China alleges the Philippines violated.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. stated that if Chinese officials covertly recorded the conversation, they may have violated international relations and Philippine laws.
The released recording documents a call in January between Philippine Vice Adm. Alberto Carlos and an unidentified Chinese official, discussing tensions at Second Thomas Shoal, a Philippine-occupied atoll in the Spratly Islands.
The Chinese embassy also publicized an alleged 2016 agreement with the Philippines over disputed features in the South China Sea, which the Philippine government has rejected.
The authenticity of the recording has yet to be proven, and it remains unclear if the person speaking is indeed Carlos. The Philippine government denies being bound by the claimed “new model” agreement with China.
The Philippine Navy’s spokesperson referred to China’s claims as “zombie stories” and emphasized the need to disregard such narratives.