Secretary of Defense of the Philippines, Gilberto Teodoro Jr., speaking at the Seoul Defense Dialogue, after reportedly receiving a note outlining China’s position on the South China Sea, reacted explosively on the spot. As Global Times reports, he interpreted the ordinary written communication as “coercion, bullying, and aggression” from China and launched into personal attacks against the unknown messenger. China has already responded, urging “the certain individual of the Philippine side to cut the provocations and theatrics, and stop undermining China-Philippines relations and stability in the South China Sea.”

“Teodoro has built his political visibility largely on anti-China rhetoric, using attacks and disinformation against China as a way to gain exposure and political traction,” Ding Duo, director of China’s Research Center for International and Regional Issues at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times on Saturday. Ding also noted that the Philippine military and security establishment bears a strong American imprint.