'This charade must stop:' DND denies backing 'new model' with ChinaGilberto "Gibo" Teodoro Jr. holds his first press briefing as the newly appointed secretary of the Department of National Defense (DND) in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on June 07, 2023. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of National Defense has denied greenlighting a supposed "new model" between the Philippines and China as claimed by the Chinese Embassy on Saturday, describing the embassy's statements as a "charade" that "must stop." The Chinese Embassy said that the supposed "gentlemen's agreement" or the "new model" was meant to be a confidence-building measure to avoid conflicts and had "nothing to do with each country's sovereign positions." Rebuffing China, Teodoro said that he had barred all contact between teh DND and the Chinese Embassy since the courtesy call of Ambassador Huang Xilian since July 2023. "During the said courtesy call, there was no discussion or briefing on any "gentleman's agreement" or "new model", which is contrary to the Chinese Embassy's pronouncements," Teodoro said.
