China sanctions linked to crackdown on illegal activities — Teodoro
MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said that sanctions imposed on him and his family by the Communist Party of China were due to what Beijing called “erroneous statements,” which he maintained were rooted in his disclosures on the West Philippine Sea and alleged illegal activities linked to Chinese interests.
“Ako at ang aking pamilya ay pinatawan ng sanctions ng Communist Party of China dahil daw sa erroneous statements na aking sinabi tungkol sa kanila,” Teodoro said in a statement on Saturday, June 13.
(My family and I have been sanctioned by the Communist Party of China due to what they claim were erroneous statements I made about them.)
“Ako ay naglahad lamang ng katotohanan tungkol sa West Philippine Sea at tungkol sa mga illegal na gawain nila dito sa Pilipinas,” he added.
(I only presented the truth about the West Philippine Sea and about their illegal activities here in the Philippines.)
The defense chief said he would continue performing his duties and supporting government efforts to address alleged illegal activities he linked to foreign entities.
He cited the Bamban scam hub case allegedly linked to dismissed mayor Alice Guo and the recent closure of the Sanjia steel facility, which he claimed produced substandard and “dirty” steel products and was linked to individuals with questionable identities.
Teodoro also said Sanjia is owned by Tony Yang, whom he described as the brother of businessman Michael Yang, adding that Tony Yang had admitted in a Senate hearing that his citizenship was fake.
The defense chief stressed that his position is not directed against Chinese nationals.
“Hindi ito targetting ng Chinese nationals kundi pagsugpo sa kabalbalan na nagpapahina ng ating bansa,” Teodoro said.
(This is not targeting Chinese nationals but a crackdown on wrongdoing that weakens our country.)
He added that several international partners support the Philippines’ position under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, while China continues to oppose it.
The defense chief said he still hopes for improved relations with Beijing but argued that tensions persist due to maritime disputes.
"Gusto ko din naman na maganda sana ang defense relations natin sa China pero hindi maari dahil sinusubukan nilang sakupin ang nasa loob ng illegal na 9 dash line,” Teodoro said.
(I also want our defense relations with China to be good, but that is not possible because they are trying to take over areas within the illegal nine-dash line.)
“Katrayduran kung sumangayon tayo dito," he added.
(It would be a betrayal if we agreed to this.)
Teodoro also said the Armed Forces of the Philippines will be further strengthened under the country’s defense strategy and reiterated plans to deepen alliances with partners.
"Makakaasa po kayo na lalo ko pang itutuloy ang tungkulin ko, at maliwanag ang strategy ng pagpapalakas ng ating national defense kabilang na rin ang pagpapatibay ng mga alyansa ng ating bansa sa mga kaalyado natin," he said.
(You can expect that I will continue my duties even more, and the strategy of strengthening our national defense is clear, including reinforcing our country’s alliances with our partners.)
He ended with: “Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! ’di ka pasisiil.” (Long live the Philippines! You will not be subjugated.)
The statement comes after the Department of Foreign Affairs described China’s sanctions as an “unfriendly act” that further complicates relations between Manila and Beijing.
Beijing earlier barred Teodoro, his spouse and child from entering mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, and also prohibited Chinese individuals and organizations from engaging in any transactions or cooperation with them.
China said the move was in response to alleged remarks that “undermined China’s interests,” while Teodoro has been among the Marcos administration’s most vocal critics of Beijing’s actions in the West Philippine Sea, including its “illegal, coercive and aggressive” activities at sea.
The DFA said the sanctions “do not contribute to building mutual trust, managing differences responsibly, or creating the conditions necessary for constructive engagement between our two countries.”
The sanctions are believed to be the first imposed by China on a sitting Philippine Cabinet secretary since diplomatic relations were established in 1975.
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