00:00Malacanang refuted China's statement accusation that the Philippines is becoming merely a
00:05chess piece of other countries in reaction to the visit of U.S. Defense Secretary Pete
00:11Hegseth on March 28.
00:13Presidential Communications Officer, PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro underscored that the Philippines
00:20is an independent nation and no one can ever influence its decisions regarding its own
00:25defense and security.
00:27She said further that if China truly values peace, it should adhere to international law
00:33and respect the sovereignty of other countries.
00:57We are an independent country.
