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,

Vice-Admiral Alberto Carlos has no mandate to strike a deal with China, who may have been attempting to shift the blame to Manila, analysts say The alleged deal is aimed at dividing the Philippines and helping China win global opinion,

Marcos administration denies it agreed to under-the-table arrangement with Beijing involving remote Philippine military outpost.