MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) called out China’s move to ban a Philippine official and his family from entering the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao, calling it an “unfriendly act” detrimental to bilateral relations between the two countries.
In a statement, the DFA said that it has noted the statement of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs prohibiting Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. and his family from entering China and its territories, as sanctions for the official’s “irresponsible remarks” on China.
“We take note of the statement of the Chinese MFA Spokesperson regarding Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr and his family,” the DFA said in a statement.
“While the imposition of sanctions is China’s sovereign prerogative, the Philippines views it as an unfriendly act that further complicates the bilateral relations,” the DFA added.
According to the DFA, such measures do not contribute to building mutual trust, managing differences responsibly, or creating the conditions necessary for constructive engagement between the two countries.
Chinese Foreign Ministry on Thursday posted the announcement on its official website, citing Teodoro’s irresponsible remarks on China as damaging China’s legitimate interests and sabotages China-Philippine relations.
“To uphold China’s sovereignty, security and development interests, China has decided to prohibit Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. and his spouse and child from entering the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao,” the announcement read.
The move also stated that China will not allow organizations and individuals in China to engage in any transaction, cooperation or other activities with Teodoro and his spouse and child.
The announcement confirmed reports earlier this month that Teodoro and his family have been banned from entering China.
Early June when Teodoro said that he has no plans to visit China and that he has no assets in the country.
In a media conference last June 3 regarding updates on the Chinese-run Philippine Sanjia Steel Plant shutdown, Teodoro told reporters that although his forefathers, who came to the Philippines from China, decided to stay in the country for good, he believed they made the right decision.
Teodoro also mentioned that his decision to not visit China was because of the kind of government the country has, which he said curtails the freedoms of its citizens.
[English Translation] 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗲𝗰. 𝗚𝗶𝗹𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗲𝗼𝗱𝗼𝗿𝗼 𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗮’𝘀 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗔𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗛𝗶𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗶𝘀 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆#DNDPHL #DiKaPasisiil pic.twitter.com/vFjbVq7m7F [English Translation] 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗲𝗰. 𝗚𝗶𝗹𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗲𝗼𝗱𝗼𝗿𝗼 𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗮’𝘀 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗔𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗛𝗶𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗶𝘀 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆#DNDPHL #DiKaPasisiil pic.twitter.com/vFjbVq7m7F
Meanwhile, Teodoro said that it is China’s right to issue sanctions, but he will continue with his duty to uphold the nation “in the face of the wickedness” that China is committing.
"That is their right. That is truly what they do to those who speak the truth against their deception,” he said in a statement released on Friday.
"Their own countrymen and the others under their control suffer far worse. 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,” he added.
