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Beijing and Manila clash over arrests of 'illegal' workers as tensions worsen
🇨🇳 China /Crime & Justice

Beijing and Manila clash over arrests of 'illegal' workers as tensions worsen

From South China Morning Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • Beijing and Manila are clashing over the arrest of Chinese workers in the Philippines, escalating tensions.
  • A Chinese embassy official accused Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jnr of "anti-China activities."
  • The Philippine defense department dismissed the criticism, calling it evasive and an "implied admission of culpability."

Tensions between Beijing and Manila have escalated beyond the South China Sea, spilling into immigration issues following the arrest of Chinese workers at a steel plant in the Philippines. This dispute arises even as Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr seeks to "reset" bilateral ties.

anti-China activities

— Chinese embassy officialThe official accused Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jnr of engaging in these activities.

Manila has strongly refuted Beijing's criticism directed at Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jnr concerning his role in the May arrests of Chinese nationals at the Sanjia Steel Corporation plant in Misamis Oriental. A Chinese embassy official in Manila had accused Teodoro of engaging in "anti-China activities" aimed at disrupting bilateral relations.

a classic example of evasiveness and a badge of deception

— Philippine defense departmentThe department used this phrase to describe the Chinese embassy's response.

However, the Philippine defense department countered by stating that the embassy's response failed to address Teodoro's concerns. They characterized Beijing's remarks as "a classic example of evasiveness and a badge of deception," which, in legal terms, amounts to an "implied admission of culpability."

implied admission of culpability

— Philippine defense departmentThe department stated that the embassy's response amounted to this in legal terms.

The embassy spokesman, Ji Linpeng, had previously questioned Teodoro's dual role as defense secretary and police chief, asking why he "interfered in law enforcement operations." The detentions involved 70 allegedly undocumented Chinese nationals, prompting formal protests from Beijing and consular visits. The embassy confirmed that all detained Chinese nationals have since been released.

interfered in law enforcement operations

— Ji LinpengThe embassy spokesman questioned why Teodoro was involved in these operations.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by South China Morning Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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