MANILA, April 2 -- The Department of National Defense (DND) on Tuesday reminded Filipinos not to lose sight of China's illegal activities in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), as debates heat up over the so-called "gentleman's agreement" reportedly made by the former administration with Beijing.

"While we realize that accountability is important in the issue on whether or not a so-called 'gentleman's agreement' was forged with China regarding the BRP Sierra Madre and Ayungin Shoal, we Filipinos must not lose sight of the fact that the main threat to our rights in the WPS is the Chinese Government's illegal activities," Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said in an open letter.

Teodoro also reminded Filipinos not to fall into the trap of...