Key facts
- China imposed sanctions, including an entry ban, on Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and his relatives.
- The sanctions prohibit entry into mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau.
- Chinese individuals and groups are barred from transacting with Teodoro and his family.
- China cited Teodoro's "irresponsible remarks" that undermined its interests and sabotaged China-Philippines relations.
- The Philippines government described the sanctions as an "unfriendly act" that strains bilateral relations.
- Teodoro vowed to continue carrying out his duties for the Philippines.
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced sanctions against Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and his relatives, prohibiting their entry into mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau, and barring Chinese organizations and individuals from engaging in transactions or cooperation with them. The ministry cited Teodoro's "irresponsible remarks" that allegedly undermine China's interests and sabotage China-Philippines relations.
The Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs stated that while imposing sanctions is China's prerogative, Manila views it as "an unfriendly act that further complicates the bilateral relations." Teodoro vowed to continue carrying out his duties for the Philippines, remarking that China's sanctions underscored "what they do to those who speak the truth against their deception."
Teodoro has been a vocal critic of China's actions in the South China Sea, previously calling its expansive claims "the biggest fiction and lie." He has also led efforts to deepen defense and security engagements between the Philippines and the United States, including joint naval patrols in the South China Sea, and has pursued visiting forces agreements with countries like Japan, France, Canada, and New Zealand to deter China's assertiveness.