South China Sea: Philippine officials outraged, accuse Beijing of anti-wiretapping law violation over ‘new model’ phone call

Philippine officials have accused Beijing of violating an anti-wiretapping law over a controversial phone conversation that the Chinese claimed was recorded between their diplomat and a Filipino navy officer.

Observers say the transcript and audio clip released by China’s embassy to a selected group of reporters in Manila could be an act of “deception”, with an analyst suggesting the material could even be fabricated.

Philippine defence chief Gilberto Teodoro Jnr on Wednesday said the audio recording had violated the country’s Anti-Wire Tapping Law.

Under the law, violators face imprisonment for up to six years and/or a fine of up to US$100.

“If this is true, they have also violated international relations and violated the law as they failed to coordinate with the Department of Foreign Affairs and had operated underhandedly,” Teodoro told reporters at the Philippine Navy’s Maritime Security Symposium 2024 in Quezon City.

“Did they just admit violating the law of the Republic of the Philippines? The answer to that should be asked to them. Those responsible for this must be found and identified and immediately removed from the country,” he added, noting the matter was being handled by the foreign affairs department.

Teodoro said operational security measures would be strengthened, given the fact there was “disinformation, malign influence and undesirable actions of agents of foreign governments”.

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US and Philippines conduct annual Balikatan drills amid rising tensions with China

The Chinese embassy in Manila on Tuesday released a transcript of a 12-minute phone call in January in which Western Command Chief Vice-Admiral Alberto Carlos had allegedly agreed to a Chinese diplomat’s protocols for the Second Thomas Shoal, a reef