Published: 04:09 PM, 22 June 2026
China’s unfriendly act
Philippines' Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. | Photo Credit: Reuters
Earlier this month, China announced sanctions against Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. and his family, banning them from entering mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao, and prohibiting Chinese entities from conducting business with them.
China imposed these measures after accusing Teodoro of making “irresponsible remarks” that allegedly undermined Chinese interests and sabotaged bilateral relations, following his vocal defense of Philippine rights in the West Philippine Sea.
Teodoro, who has been highly vocal about Chinese aggression, coercive maneuvers, and illegal presence in the West Philippine Sea in various local and international venues, took his message to the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Asia’s premier defense forum, in late May.
There, he forcefully criticized Beijing’s expansionism and aggressive activities in the West Philippine Sea and defended the 2016 Arbitral Award that invalidated China’s sweeping maritime claims.
He characterized China as a major threat and declared that the Philippines has “no choice but ... to stand up against Chinese aggression.”
Eleven days later, China announced its sanctions against Teodoro.
The Department of Foreign Affairs did not file a diplomatic protest but condemned the sanctions, calling it an “unfriendly act” that needlessly harms the relationship between the two nations.
It said Beijing’s move “further complicates the bilateral relations” during an already tense period and argued that targeted punishments against Philippine officials do not contribute to building mutual trust, managing geopolitical differences responsibly, or creating the necessary conditions for constructive diplomatic engagement.
China’s latest action is hardly surprising, following as it does the blueprint used by Beijing when it imposed similar sanctions against former senator Francis Tolentino in July 2025 for “egregious conduct on China-related issues” and “malicious remarks and moves” driven by “selfish interests” that actively damaged bilateral relations.
While Beijing kept its official grievances vague, Tolentino’s legislative track record was the clear impetus for its sanctions. As the head of the Senate’s special panel on maritime and admiralty zones, Tolentino was the principal author of the Philippine Maritime Zones Act that defined the precise geographic extents of the Philippines’ maritime territory and its exclusive economic zone. He was also the principal author of the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, which designated explicit, restrictive air and sea lanes through which foreign vessels and military aircraft must pass.
EARLIER this month, China announced sanctions against Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. and his family, banning them from entering mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao, and prohibiting Chinese entities from conducting business with them.
China imposed these measures after accusing Teodoro of making “irresponsible remarks” that allegedly undermined Chinese interests and sabotaged bilateral relations, following his vocal defense of Philippine rights in the West Philippine Sea.
PH dropping the ball on import security
Teodoro, who has been highly vocal about Chinese aggression, coercive maneuvers, and illegal presence in the West Philippine Sea in various local and international venues, took his message to the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Asia’s premier defense forum, in late May.
There, he forcefully criticized Beijing’s expansionism and aggressive activities in the West Philippine Sea and defended the 2016 Arbitral Award that invalidated China’s sweeping maritime claims.
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He characterized China as a major threat and declared that the Philippines has “no choice but ... to stand up against Chinese aggression.”
Eleven days later, China announced its sanctions against Teodoro.
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The Department of Foreign Affairs did not file a diplomatic protest but condemned the sanctions, calling it an “unfriendly act” that needlessly harms the relationship between the two nations.
US citizens have no right to bring spouses, family members to America
US citizens have no right to bring spouses, family members to America
It said Beijing’s move “further complicates the bilateral relations” during an already tense period and argued that targeted punishments against Philippine officials do not contribute to building mutual trust, managing geopolitical differences responsibly, or creating the necessary conditions for constructive diplomatic engagement.
China’s latest action is hardly surprising, following as it does the blueprint used by Beijing when it imposed similar sanctions against former senator Francis Tolentino in July 2025 for “egregious conduct on China-related issues” and “malicious remarks and moves” driven by “selfish interests” that actively damaged bilateral relations.
While Beijing kept its official grievances vague, Tolentino’s legislative track record was the clear impetus for its sanctions. As the head of the Senate’s special panel on maritime and admiralty zones, Tolentino was the principal author of the Philippine Maritime Zones Act that defined the precise geographic extents of the Philippines’ maritime territory and its exclusive economic zone. He was also the principal author of the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, which designated explicit, restrictive air and sea lanes through which foreign vessels and military aircraft must pass.
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Both bills heavily reinforced the 2016 Arbitral Award that invalidated China’s “nine-dash line” claims — a ruling that Beijing, against all international norms, refuses to recognize.
Neither Tolentino nor Teodoro seems particularly perturbed by the Chinese actions. Tolentino said he considered the ban a badge of honor, and Teodoro merely shrugged off the sanctions against him and his family, saying he had no assets in China and zero plans to visit the country, anyway.
“That is their right,” he said about the Chinese ban. “That is truly what they do to those who speak the truth against their deception. Their own countrymen and the others under their control suffer far worse.”
But while the targeted sanctions may have very little practical effect in either case, they do violate the spirit of the United Nations Charter’s principle of non-interference, which is meant to protect states from external pressures designed to force a change in their domestic or foreign policies.
EARLIER this month, China announced sanctions against Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. and his family, banning them from entering mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao, and prohibiting Chinese entities from conducting business with them.
China imposed these measures after accusing Teodoro of making “irresponsible remarks” that allegedly undermined Chinese interests and sabotaged bilateral relations, following his vocal defense of Philippine rights in the West Philippine Sea.
PH dropping the ball on import security
Teodoro, who has been highly vocal about Chinese aggression, coercive maneuvers, and illegal presence in the West Philippine Sea in various local and international venues, took his message to the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Asia’s premier defense forum, in late May.
There, he forcefully criticized Beijing’s expansionism and aggressive activities in the West Philippine Sea and defended the 2016 Arbitral Award that invalidated China’s sweeping maritime claims.
Get the latest news delivered to your inbox
Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters
By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
He characterized China as a major threat and declared that the Philippines has “no choice but ... to stand up against Chinese aggression.”
Eleven days later, China announced its sanctions against Teodoro.
Advertisement
The Department of Foreign Affairs did not file a diplomatic protest but condemned the sanctions, calling it an “unfriendly act” that needlessly harms the relationship between the two nations.
US citizens have no right to bring spouses, family members to America
US citizens have no right to bring spouses, family members to America
It said Beijing’s move “further complicates the bilateral relations” during an already tense period and argued that targeted punishments against Philippine officials do not contribute to building mutual trust, managing geopolitical differences responsibly, or creating the necessary conditions for constructive diplomatic engagement.
China’s latest action is hardly surprising, following as it does the blueprint used by Beijing when it imposed similar sanctions against former senator Francis Tolentino in July 2025 for “egregious conduct on China-related issues” and “malicious remarks and moves” driven by “selfish interests” that actively damaged bilateral relations.
While Beijing kept its official grievances vague, Tolentino’s legislative track record was the clear impetus for its sanctions. As the head of the Senate’s special panel on maritime and admiralty zones, Tolentino was the principal author of the Philippine Maritime Zones Act that defined the precise geographic extents of the Philippines’ maritime territory and its exclusive economic zone. He was also the principal author of the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, which designated explicit, restrictive air and sea lanes through which foreign vessels and military aircraft must pass.
Advertisement
Both bills heavily reinforced the 2016 Arbitral Award that invalidated China’s “nine-dash line” claims — a ruling that Beijing, against all international norms, refuses to recognize.
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Police launch manhunt for suspect in Tacloban school shooting
Neither Tolentino nor Teodoro seems particularly perturbed by the Chinese actions. Tolentino said he considered the ban a badge of honor, and Teodoro merely shrugged off the sanctions against him and his family, saying he had no assets in China and zero plans to visit the country, anyway.
“That is their right,” he said about the Chinese ban. “That is truly what they do to those who speak the truth against their deception. Their own countrymen and the others under their control suffer far worse.”
But while the targeted sanctions may have very little practical effect in either case, they do violate the spirit of the United Nations Charter’s principle of non-interference, which is meant to protect states from external pressures designed to force a change in their domestic or foreign policies.
When a major power levels sanctions against the sitting defense secretary of a sovereign nation specifically for his official statements — in this case, defending Philippine territorial claims in the South China Sea — it crosses the line into unilateral coercive measures. Then the sanctions become a tool meant to isolate a state official, penalize the country’s defense posture, and implicitly pressure the government to alter its policy.
Beijing’s actions, while objectionable, are easy to understand in the context of an authoritarian regime that brooks no opposition to its worldview. Less understandable are the actions of local groups such as the Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute, which warned that Teodoro’s strong criticisms of China could undermine the Philippines’ economic recovery efforts.
Sounding like a mouthpiece for the Chinese government, the group’s president said the sanctions against Teodoro should prompt a reassessment of policies and statements that could further strain relations between Manila and Beijing at a time when the government is seeking to expand tourism and trade ties with China.
“All these efforts could come to naught if Teodoro is not stopped from crashing the Philippines-China ties with his rabid anti-China rhetoric,” he said.
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It is a sad day when the spirited defense of our country’s sovereign rights and territory is portrayed by some Filipinos as a disease that must be excised. When did candor and the willingness to stand up for our rights against a foreign power become a liability?
>> Source: The Manila Times
