Senator Erwin Tulfo has expressed support for Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr.’s firm response to a Chinese representative during the 2026 Seoul Defense Dialogue in Seoul, South Korea.

A Chinese national reportedly handed Teodoro a note containing statements concerning the West Philippine Sea (WPS) while the defense secretary was speaking at the forum. Teodoro rejected the move and responded to China’s assertions, particularly its position rejecting the 2016 United Nations arbitral ruling on the South China Sea.

Tulfo described the incident as “kabastusan” and said he would have stood up and confronted the situation had he been present.

“So that's the right thing to do. Ang buti hindi ako kasama doon. Magkakaproblema tayo. Baka sabihin na naman, parang hindi dapat gawain as a senator. But I will really stand up. I also see this as kabastusan.”

Tulfo added that such an action should not have happened during the international defense dialogue, saying, “Definitely. They shouldn't have done that.”

The incident has drawn attention amid continuing tensions between the Philippines and China over competing claims and activities in the WPS.