Manila, Sept. 11 -- Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.'s response to a Chinese attempt challenging the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Ruling should set the standard for Filipino officials on how to defend Philippine sovereignty and national interests.

At the Seoul Defense Dialogue on Tursday, a military attache from the Chinese Embassy in Seoul sent a note to Teodoro, through a forum staff member, while the Filipino official was speaking on stage.

The note reiterated Beijing's rejection of the 2016 Arbitral Ruling, calling it illegal, null and void, and had no binding force.

In response, Teodoro read portions of the note aloud and challenged its assertions, including China's rejection of the ruling.

"Se...