South China Sea: Philippine officials outraged, accuse Beijing of anti-wiretapping law violation over ‘new model’ phone call
- Military commanders also suggest recorded material, played to selected media, was fabricated
- Filipino lawmaker calls for clip to be presented to government as official evidence
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.
