​SEN. Francis Pangilinan on Thursday deplored China’s two-day military drills around Taiwan, saying peace cannot be built on threats of invasion. ​China conducted the exercises around Taiwan last week as a “serious warning” against any attempt at Taiwanese independence. ​The senator called on concerned parties “to steer the Fire Horse of 2026 into progress, not ruin.” ​ “It is the season of goodwill, but China’s two-day military drills encircling Taiwan have brought ill will all around — to the Taiwanese people, to Filipinos working, living and spending the holidays there, and to people across East and Southeast Asia,” Pangilinan said in a statement. ​Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Wednesday said China’s military and coast guard actions around Taiwan “undermine regional peace and stability, further creating cracks in an already fragile geopolitical environment.” ​ Pangilinan said “peace on Earth can only be built on our individual and collective right to self-determination, free from bullying or annexation by any power — whether Chinese or American.” ​ The Chinese Embassy in Manila, in a statement Wednesday evening, said Taiwan is an “inalienable part of China’s territory.” ​In response to Teodoro’s remarks, the embassy said China rejected the “wrongful statement and has lodged serious protests with the Philippine side.” ​”We call on relevant Philippine figures to abide by the commitment of their government, stop interfering in China’s internal affairs and stop abetting separatism for Taiwan’s ‘independence,’” it added.