(June 12): China imposed sanctions on Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, accusing him of making remarks that damaged bilateral ties and raising tensions in a relationship already strained by territorial disputes.
The secretary and his immediate family are banned from entering mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Thursday. Organisations and individuals in China are also prohibited from cooperating or transacting with Teodoro, his spouse and children.
Teodoro is the most senior Philippine official known to have been sanctioned by Beijing. The move comes as the Philippines signals closer ties with Taiwan and begins maritime border talks with Japan.
Responding to China’s move, Teodoro said on Friday that it’s Beijing’s right to impose sanctions while expressing defiance.
“That is truly what they do to those who speak the truth against their deception,” he said. “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.”
Beijing did not say which remarks prompted the sanctions, but they cap weeks of sharpening rhetoric. At the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore late last month, Teodoro called China’s offers of fertiliser and fuel “guileful”, accusing Beijing of “sugarcoating” its assistance as the war in Iran drove up prices.
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Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning fired back last week, saying Teodoro was “known to vilify China”.
“The Philippine side needs to ask themselves: If people like him are allowed to do whatever they want, how exactly can China continue to provide supplies and aid to the Philippines? Who should pay the price?” she said at a regular press briefing in Beijing.
In a Bloomberg News interview on the forum’s sidelines, Teodoro said the Philippines seeks closer ties with Taiwan and stronger military links with countries focused on deterring China’s “nefarious plans”.
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Manila and Tokyo have announced maritime border talks covering waters east of Taiwan, a move that prompted China’s countermeasures and further strained relations in recent weeks.
Teodoro struck a similar note at last year’s Singapore forum, calling a lack of trust in Beijing “the biggest stumbling block” to resolving competing claims in the South China Sea, a strategic waterway and a potential flashpoint.
Further angering China, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr warned in May that the Philippines would likely be involved in any conflict over Taiwan due to its proximity.
Beijing views Taiwan as an inseparable part of its territory to be retaken one day, by force if necessary. Chinese authorities have sought to isolate Taipei diplomatically, imposing travel bans on New Zealand lawmakers last week after they visited Taiwan.
The Teodoro sanctions follow a familiar script. Last year, China imposed similar travel curbs on a former Philippine senator after accusing him of improper behaviour on issues related to China. Francis Tolentino, now a labour secretary, called China’s action “a badge of honour”.
Manila’s Department of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday that while sanctions fall within China’s prerogative, the Philippines views the move as “an unfriendly act that further complicates the bilateral relations.”
“Such measures do not contribute to building mutual trust, managing differences responsibly, or creating the conditions necessary for constructive engagement between our two countries,” it said in a statement.
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