Marilyn Cahatol

Two PAF FA-50 fighter aircraft in formation with two U.S. PACAF B-1 aircraft during the joint Air Patrols and Air Intercept Training over the West Philippine Sea on February 4, 2025.  Courtesy of Philippine Airforce

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WEST PH SEA- Airforce

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176258007583420250204-west-ph-sea-PAF002.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Two PAF FA-50 fighter aircraft in formation with two U.S. PACAF B-1 aircraft during the joint Air Patrols and Air Intercept Training over the West Philippine Sea on February 4, 2025. Courtesy of Philippine Airforce "/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Two PAF FA-50 fighter aircraft in formation with two U.S. PACAF B-1 aircraft during the joint Air Patrols and Air Intercept Training over the West Philippine Sea on February 4, 2025. <em>Courtesy of Philippine Airforce </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Department of Defense on Saturday said China labeling of the Philippines’ joint exercises with other countries in the West Philippine Sea an act of provocation is a “classic case of projection” which, it said the regional giant often does.</p><p>The Philippines has documented multiple incidents of Chinese vessels blocking and harassing Filipino boats and ships in the West Philippine Sea, the part of the South China Sea in the Philippines&#x27; exclusive economic zone.</p><p>“Their words do not reflect the reality in the West Philippine Sea and the broader South China Sea,” the DND said.</p><p>Based on a <a href="http://eng.mod.gov.cn/2025xb/P/16420466.html">report</a> by China&#x27;s Ministry of National Defense, ministry spokesperson Jiang Bin said Friday that &quot;China will neither tolerate the blackmail by those who provoke first and play the victim, nor indulge the provocation by those who stir up troubles in collusion with outside powers.”</p><p>The statement was  in response to the Philippines’ series of joint patrol and military exercises with several countries in the West Philippine Sea.</p><p>In response, DND used China’s words, saying “the Philippines will not tolerate the blackmailing by those who provoke first and then play the victim.”</p><p>It further said “China is the real threat to regional stability” and that their “lies range from mis-labeling legitimate actions to inventing ‘history.’”</p><p>“The Philippines will remain undeterred in asserting its national interests in the West Philippine Sea and in upholding international law and the international rules-based order,” DND said.</p><p>Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, on Nov. 2, explained that the joint exercises were held in open seas that are not controlled by any country, based on international law.</p><p>He said: “Those exercises were held in open seas, in high seas, where there is freedom in navigation and no one country controls that area. So if China makes that statement that you invite an outsider in the open sea area, then it is indicative of how it views the international law.”</p><p>“Are they saying that they own the area, or that they have the exclusive jurisdiction and sovereignty over the high seas? If they say that, then you have your answer how they regard international law, which is precisely why these kinds of activities have to continue to uphold international law,” he added.</p><p>The Philippines held a <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/31/ph-us-australia-new-zealand-hold-joint-naval-drills-in-west-philippine-sea-1723"></a><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/31/ph-us-australia-new-zealand-hold-joint-naval-drills-in-west-philippine-sea-1723">Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity</a> in WPS with the United States, Australia and New Zealand on October 30 to 31. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/18/ph-navy-warns-of-china-s-dangerous-deceptive-tactics-in-west-philippine-sea-1540"><strong>PH Navy warns of China’s &#x27;dangerous, deceptive&#x27; tactics in West Philippine Sea</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DPVxZeF_P34?si=pLoViStsaJD5-RXm" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>The Department of Defense on Saturday called China’s allegation that the Philippines’ joint exercises with other countries at the West Philippine Sea were an act of provocation a “classic case of projection.”</p>

The Department of Defense on Saturday called China’s allegation that the Philippines’ joint exercises with other countries at the West Philippine Sea were an act of provocation a “classic case of projection.”

'Classic case of projection': DND claps back at China calling PH joint exercises a provocation

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'Classic case of projection': DND claps back at China calling PH joint exercises a provocation

Marilyn Cahatol,

ABS-CBN News

Published Nov 08, 2025 01:58 PM PHT

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China

West Philippine Sea

Philippines

Joint exercises

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