Philippines defense chief defiant after China sanctions him, family

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. remained defiant on June 12 after China imposed sanctions on him, his spouse, and child. Beijing's foreign ministry spokesperson announced the ban from entering mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau, and prohibited Chinese organizations and individuals from engaging in any transactions with them.

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Their own countrymen and the others under their control suffer far worse. I will just keep doing my duty and uphold our nation in the face of the wickedness they are committing here and even in our seas.

Teodoro stated the sanctions were for "speaking truth" and vowed to continue his duty to uphold the nation against China's actions. The Philippines government called the sanctions an "unfriendly act that further complicates bilateral relations." The sanctions follow Teodoro's criticism of Beijing's activities in the disputed South China Sea at a Singapore summit in May, where he asserted Manila would not compromise its territorial integrity and sovereignty.

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the Philippines views it as an unfriendly act that further complicates the bilateral relations

China's foreign ministry spokesperson accused Teodoro of "vilifying China" and pursuing "selfish personal gains" through "political theatrics." The ministry claimed Teodoro's rhetoric undermines China's interests and sabotages China-Philippines relations, though specific remarks were not detailed. China regularly deploys naval and coast guard vessels to assert its claims in the South China Sea, despite an international ruling invalidating its assertions. The dispute has led to frequent flare-ups in tensions between the two nations.

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is known to vilify China. All he cares is selfish personal gains to the point that he would perform political theatrics even when people’s well-being is at stake