Earlier this month, a Chinese embassy spokesperson said that the two nations had reached a “common understanding” on the dispute.

This after China’s embassy in Manila claimed the two nations had agreed to a ‘new model’ in managing tensions.

The Philippines on Saturday denied a Chinese claim that the two countries had reached an agreement over an escalating maritime dispute in the South China Sea, calling the claim propaganda. A spokesperson at China's embassy in Manila said on April 18 that the two had agreed early this year to a "new model" in managing tensions at the Second Thomas Shoal,

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. has again clarified that there is no internal or gentleman’s agreement between the Philippines and China on the Ayungin Shoal, particularly on the fate of the BRP Sierra Madre.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday night that he had warned China directly about its assertive moves around the Philippines and vowed to defend the ally.