Story perspectives

Marcos calls China’s remarks a threat, suspends military hotline

By Drooid · Oct 16, 2026, 10:39 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Marcos Calls Threat

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan’s remarks sounded like a threat.
Ambassador Jing Quan said China may win but will not use force, adding “we love peace.”
The foreign ministry called the remarks a thinly veiled threat.
Manila and Beijing dispute South China Sea reefs in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
China’s June sanction of the defence chief followed coast-guard clashes, which Manila called unfriendly.

Summary

Teodoro Suspends Comms

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. announced suspension of direct military-to-military communications for three years, citing security concerns.
A July 2024 agreement created a presidential hotline to manage West Philippine Sea crises.
A pending memorandum of understanding will establish a coast-guard communication channel with China.
During the August 2023 Ayungin Shoal clash, Manila could not reach Chinese officials via maritime communication for hours.

History

Historical Context

The 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling—prompted by the 2012 Scarborough Shoal clash—declared China’s nine-dash line void and affirmed the Philippines’ 150,000-km² exclusive economic zone, estimating $15 billion in lost fisheries. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro now invoke that award while suspending military hotlines amid Chinese ambassador Jing Quan’s threats.

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Marcos Calls Threat

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan’s remarks sounded like a threat.
Ambassador Jing Quan said China may win but will not use force, adding “we love peace.”
The foreign ministry called the remarks a thinly veiled threat.
Manila and Beijing dispute South China Sea reefs in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
China’s June sanction of the defence chief followed coast-guard clashes, which Manila called unfriendly.

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