Manila, April 27 -- The Philippines Department of National Defence (DND) has completely rejected China's claims of having any internal agreement on the Ayungin Shoal, Philippine News Agency quoted Philippines Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr as saying.

In a statement released on Saturday, Gilberto Teodoro Jr rejected the claims of Chinese officials about two new deals with the Philippines in 2023 to reduce tensions on the disputed territory and called it a part of a "Chinese propaganda effort to steer the Filipino people's attention away from the real issue."

Teodoro said, "The DND is not aware of, nor is it a party to, any internal agreement with China on Ayungin Shoal since President Ferdinand R Marcos, Jr took office." The Ayung...