World · East Asia & Pacific · 2 hrs ago
Philippines rejects China’s call to restore military communication channels
The Philippine military rejected China’s call to restore direct communication between the two countries’ armed forces.
The decision concerns maritime operations in the South China Sea, where the two sides have faced confrontations.
China has warned that without communication, miscalculation could increase and tensions could escalate.
The Philippines said the channels had not improved trust and were ineffective without respect for international law.
A Philippine military spokesman accused Beijing of using them as a smokescreen for aggressive actions at sea.
The military backed Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro’s decision to suspend the channels and said it would not contact China in advance of its maritime operations.
The Philippine military has rejected China’s calls to restore direct communication channels between their militaries.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines said it would not communicate with China’s military in advance of maritime operations.
It said the channels had failed to build trust and were ineffective without mutual respect for international law.
China has warned that the absence of communication channels risks miscalculation during confrontations and could escalate South China Sea tensions.
- Who
- The Armed Forces of the Philippines and China’s military.
- What
- The Philippines rejected calls to restore direct communication channels and said it would not give advance notice of maritime operations.
- When
- Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
- Where
- The South China Sea and waters the Philippines considers its territory.
- Why
- The Philippine military said the channels had failed to improve trust and were ineffective without mutual respect for international law.
Philippines
China
Communication channels
Philippines
The Philippines said the channels had failed to improve trust and were ineffective without mutual respect for international law.
China
China called for the channels to be restored.
Risks at sea
Philippines
The Philippines rejected advance communication about its maritime operations.
China
Beijing warned that the channels’ absence risks miscalculation during confrontations and could escalate tensions.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Response
- Philippine military rejected restoring direct communication channels
- Announcement date
- Tuesday, October 13, 2026
- Military spokesman
- Retired Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad
- Defence secretary
- Gilberto Teodoro
What people are saying
smokescreen
miscalculation
Sources
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