MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Friday rejected China’s accusation that the Philippines was a "troublemaker" in the South China Sea, saying Beijing cannot stop Manila from defending its sovereign rights under international law.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro issued the statement after the Chinese Ministry of Defense claimed that the Philippines repeatedly courted the influence of external powers to make waves in the South China Sea, jeopardizing regional security and stability.

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"We’re going to stop China from making its own narrative," Castro said during a press conference.

"But they cannot also stop us from fighting for our rights based on laws, UNCLOS, [the] arbitral ruling, and our being [an] independent country," she added.