The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) lashed back at China yesterday following Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s recent statements that the Philippines’ actions in the South China Sea are mere theater in coordination with other countries. “From the side of the AFP, the Philippines is no one’s pawn. We are a sovereign nation, making sovereign decisions,” AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said. “The AFP stands firm in defending our territory guided by our national interests, and foreign influence partnerships strengthen our defense. So, our resolve is ours alone. Nobody else can dictate what we do,” she added.

Punongbayan, M. (2025, March 12). AFP to China: Phl is no one's pawn. The Philippine Star, p. 7.