It is in relation to the Philippine official’s strong stance on the dispute in the West Philippine Sea.
Last June 11, news broke that the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has imposed sanctions on Philippine Defense chief Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro, Jr. and his immediate family members over allegedly erroneous statements he made against China regarding the dispute at the West Philippine Sea and the illegal activities of some Chinese nationals in the country.
“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 Facebook post.
He, however, stood firm by what he said and wrote: “Ako ay naglahad lamang ng katotohanan tungkol sa West Philippine Sea at tungkol sa mga illegal na gawain nila dito sa Pilipinas.“
The defense secretary also noted that he will continue to dispense his duties, and along with other government agencies, will crack down on illegal activities—including cases similar to the Bamban “scam hub” implicating former town mayor Alice Guo (a.k.a. Guo Hua Ping) and the recently-closed Sanjia operated by Tony Yang, brother of Michael Yang — who is implicated in various crimes.
“Patuloy kong gagampanan ang aking tungkulin at itutuloy ko din kasama ng mga ahensya ng Gobyerno ang mga illegal na gawain nila tulad sa Bamban scam hub na front na nagkaroon pa ng Alice Guo at kakasara lang na Sanjia na gumagawa ng substandard at maduming bakal na ibinabaha nila sa mga mamamayan,” Teodoro stated.
He also alleged officials of the Chinese Embassy have intervened in Sanjia to cover the illegal activities.
“Dito sa Sanjia personal na nanghimasok diumano ang mga matataas na opisyal ng Chinese Embassy para mapagtakpan ang talamak na illegal na ginagawa dito. Tandaan natin itong Sanjia ay pagaari ni Tony Yang kapatid ng notorious na Michael Yang. Inamin ni Tony Yang sa Senado na fake ang citizenship niya. Ang delikado pa dito may napakalaking pier dito na ngayon hindi na puedeng gamitin sa masama,” he continued.
Teodoro, however, emphasized that the actions are not specifically targetting Chinese nationals, but are only merely solving crimes committed in the Philippines.
“Hindi ito targetting ng Chinese nationals kundi pagsugpo ng kabalbalan na nagpapahina ng ating bansa. Ang mga sinasabi ko naman walang kumokontra na matataas na opisyal ng ibang bansa at ito ay sinasang-ayunan ng madami kaya tulong tulong ang maraming like minded partners sa pagtaguyod natin sa UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Seas). Sa PROC (People’s Republic of China), walang sumasang-ayon,” he continued.
The defense chief pertains to the 2016 arbitral ruling, which the Philippines won.
Meanwhile, he also said that he also wants the defense relations between China and the Philippines to be smooth, yet it is “not possible” due to the incursion of the other country through the “illegal” 9-dash line claim.
“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,” he said, adding that it is a “betrayal” to agree to it.
“Ako ay nananalig sa ating mga diplomats, at ang DND naman ay pinapalakas ang AFP upang mapatupad natin ang misyon nito. At hinihiling ko po sa lahat ng nakakausap o nakakaharap natin ay tunay na galangin ang Pilipinas,” he continued.
Teodoro also mentioned other skirmishes and disputes of China with its other neighbors, such as India, calling that the country has different views on diplomacy and the rules that they will follow.
“Gising po tayo sa mga gawain ng PROC sa puntong ito at may ginawa po tayo kaya ganito ang kasagutan nila. Papaano pa yung ginagawa nila sa kanilang mga mamayan na hindi panig sa kanila at yung mga tao sa mga lugar na pilit nilang sinakop,” he added.
To conclude his message, Secretary Teodoro said that he will continue to do his duty and improve the Philippines’ national defense and strengthening its ties with its allies.
“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.
Meanwhile, through its own Facebook page, the news has been confirmed by the Chinese Embassy in Manila, with Deputy Spokesperson Guo Wei telling: “As the saying goes, people are known by the company they keep. Those who undermine China’s legitimate rights and interests, damage the development of China–Philippines relations, and jeopardize regional peace and stability will ultimately pay the price for their actions.“
GIBO RECEIVES SUPPORT
Meanwhile, numerous personalities have also expressed support to Teodoro following his “blacklisting.”
Among them is Senator Francis Pangilinan, who said: “By imposing sanctions on the Philippine Secretary of National Defense, China is striking at the sovereign decisions of the Republic of the Philippines.“
“As a Cabinet official and the President’s alter ego on defense and security, Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro articulates and implements national policy. Punishing him and his family for doing so is a direct affront not only to him, but to the President, the Philippine state, and our constitutional order,” he added.
Pangilinan also noted it as a “clear escalation” in what he described as “China’s pattern of coercion and intimidation against a smaller neighbor that, despite repeated provocations, has consistently responded with diplomacy, restraint, and adherence to the rule of law.”
“The Philippines has chosen legal remedies, including the legally binding 2016 arbitral award, and transparent, rules-based engagement instead of brinkmanship,” the lawmaker emphasized.
He also noted that by sanctioning a sitting Cabinet member for defending an arbitral ruling and asserting rights guaranteed under international law, “China diminishes its own standing in the community of nations.”
“Such actions undermine its claim to be a responsible major power and only strengthen the resolve of democracies — big and small — to stand together against coercion,” he furthered.
He also said that nearing the tenth anniversary of the 2016 arbitral award on July 12, the Philippines has to reaffirm its rights on its own waters and the right of Filipino citizens — officials and regular folk — and that is “to defend and articulate those rights without fear of foreign intimidation.”
Likewise, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has also stood with the defense chief in a statement issued on Saturday.
“The AFP views these sanctions not merely as actions directed against a Philippine government official and his family, but as an attempt to undermine the legitimate exercise of our nation’s sovereign rights and the principled defense of Philippine national interests.”
It noted that Secretary Teodoro has “consistently advocated for the protection of Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights, and maritime entitlements in accordance with international law, particularly in the West Philippine Sea and within our Exclusive Economic Zone.”
The AFP also stressed the key role of Teodoro in efforts to expose and address illegal activities, espionage-related threats, and other actions that undermine Philippine security and national interests.
“His steadfast commitment reflects the position of the Republic of the Philippines in safeguarding its national security, territorial integrity, and maritime interests,” the AFP underscored.
Hence, the Armed Forces said it remains committed in carrying out its constitutional mandate and “rejects any attempt to intimidate or pressure those who stand in defense of the nation.”
“No external action or coercive measure will diminish our resolve to protect the Filipino people, uphold the rule of law, and safeguard our sovereignty, sovereign rights, and maritime domain,” the AFP added.