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China Accuses Manila of Garbage Dumping, Teodoro Demands Proof, Calls Allegations ‘Baseless’

Article by F. Palafox

Published on April 27, 2026 6:40PM


Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. on Thursday dismissed China’s accusation that the Philippines is dumping garbage in inshore waters, telling Beijing to back up its claims with evidence and mocking what he described as empty rhetoric. ¹ ²


Teodoro issued the remarks on the sidelines of the 75th anniversary commemoration of the Battle of Yultong at Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City. ¹ He challenged China to substantiate its latest complaint, saying: “If they have accusations, they should prove them.” ¹


He added that China repeatedly levels allegations but avoids presenting evidence in a fair, international‑law‑based forum. “They keep accusing, but when it’s time to present proof in a fair proceeding under international law, they refuse,” Teodoro said. ¹ ² ³


The defense chief also brushed off a video allegedly circulated by Chinese sources that purports to show Philippine troops aboard the grounded BRP Sierra Madre burning garbage and dumping it into the sea near Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas). ¹ ⁴ Teodoro said he could not verify the clip’s authenticity and questioned Beijing’s credibility. ¹


“Who likes to fake? Who likes to copy?” he said, using the remark to highlight what he described as China’s own tendency to push unverified or staged content. ¹ ⁴


Calling out Beijing’s behavior


Teodoro took a pointed swipe at China’s criticism of Philippine actions, suggesting Beijing’s own conduct is more provocative. “Fireworks are invented by them, then they will say we are playing with fire? What are they? Out of their mind? (Ano sila? Hilo?)” he said. ¹


He stressed that the Philippines would not be deterred from strengthening its defense posture, even as China voices concern over Manila’s growing military resilience and international partnerships. “If any country is worried about our defense engagement and resilience, it’s because they have a bad intention and motive to begin with,” he said. ¹ ⁵


Anchored in the 2016 arbitral ruling


Teodoro reiterated that the Philippines’ position in the West Philippine Sea is anchored in the 2016 arbitral ruling under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which overwhelmingly favored Manila and invalidated much of China’s expansive “nine‑dash line” claim. ⁶ ⁷ ⁸ He emphasized that the ruling has been incorporated into Philippine law and affirmed by successive administrations, including former President Rodrigo Duterte, who raised it before the United Nations. ¹ ⁸


The defense chief also highlighted that it is China, not the Philippines, that continues to occupy disputed features such as Panganiban Reef (Mischief), which has been transformed into a Chinese‑controlled military‑civil installation in the Kalayaan Island Group (Spratly Islands). ⁵ ⁹ Manila’s position is that these features and the surrounding waters fall within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, as affirmed by the 2016 tribunal. ⁵ ⁸


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Notes:


¹ West PH Sea: Teodoro rebukes China's 'garbage dumping' claim https://www.inquirer.net/473340/west-ph-sea-teodoro-rebukes-chinas-garbage-dumping-claim/


² West PH Sea: Teodoro rebukes China's 'garbage dumping' claim https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sp1wPM5OM0M




⁵ How an impasse in the South China Sea drove the Philippines closer to US https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/12/30/how-an-impasse-in-the-south-china-sea-drove-the-philippines-us-closer


⁶ South China Sea Arbitration Ruling: What Happened and What's Next?www.uscc.gov › research › south-china-sea-arbitration-ruling-what-happen... https://www.uscc.gov/research/south-china-sea-arbitration-ruling-what-happened-and-whats-next


⁷ South China Sea Arbitration - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_China_Sea_Arbitration


⁸ The South China Sea Arbitration (12 July 2016)| Peace Palace Library https://peacepalacelibrary.nl/blog/2016/south-china-sea-arbitration-12-july-2016-pca-case-no-2013-19


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