'Have a little shame': Philippines defence chief gets China's note mid-speech, fires salvo over South China Sea claims - Deccan Herald

**Philippines Defence Secretary Rebukes China After Receiving a Hand‑Delivered Note on Stage**

Manila – During a high‑profile security forum in Seoul on Tuesday, Philippine Defence Secretary **Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro** was handed a handwritten note by a Chinese diplomat while delivering a speech on regional stability. The note, which the Chinese side later described as a “friendly reminder,” accused the Philippines of “spreading misinformation” about the South China Sea and urged Manila to “re‑consider its stance.” Teodoro paused, read the message aloud and, without missing a beat, responded, “Have a little shame. We will not be bullied,” before continuing his remarks about the Philippines’ legal rights under the 2016 Hague tribunal ruling that rejected China’s nine‑dash line claim.

Teodoro’s rebuttal highlighted the long‑standing dispute over the resource‑rich waters that both nations claim as sovereign. He reiterated that the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) around the Kalayaan Island Group and Scarborough Shoal is protected by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and that Manila will “defend every inch of our territory with the resolve of our armed forces and the support of our partners.” The defence chief also underscored the importance of a rules‑based order, noting that “bullying tactics have no place in the 21st‑century Indo‑Pacific,” a line that drew applause from the audience and was reported by several Asian news outlets.

The incident has sparked a fresh wave of diplomatic posturing. Beijing’s foreign ministry later described the note as a “courtesy” meant to clarify facts, while the Philippines’ foreign affairs department issued a statement calling the gesture “unacceptable” and reaffirming its commitment to peaceful dialogue. Analysts see the episode as a vivid illustration of what some commentators label China’s “wolf‑type diplomacy,” and it underscores the growing willingness of Manila—and its allies, notably the United States—to push back against Beijing’s expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea.