The Armed Forces of the Philippines has expressed “absolute solidarity” with Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro following sanctions imposed on him by China.
Military spokesperson Rear Admiral Roy Trinidad described the measures as “unilateral” and “ungrounded”, calling them a “transparent attempt at political intimidation”. He added that the sanctions would not deter the armed forces from carrying out its constitutional duties, particularly in the South China Sea.
China's foreign ministry announced on 11 June that it had imposed sanctions on Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and his immediate family, accusing him of repeatedly making remarks that undermined China's "legitimate interests" and bilateral relations.
The sanctions bar Teodoro, his wife and child from entering mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau. Chinese entities are also prohibited from conducting transactions, collaborations or other activities with them.
The ministry said the measures were intended to "safeguard China's national sovereignty, security, and development interests", but did not specify which of Teodoro's statements had prompted the action.
Last week, Beijing criticised the Philippine defence chief, claiming he had shown no appreciation for China's supply of essential commodities and accusing him of using public welfare issues for political point-scoring. The comments came after Teodoro described China as a threat.
He told Reuters at Singapore's Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's leading defence forum:
"For countries like the Philippines, which faces serious territorial and political threats from China, we have no choice but to be resilient and stand up against Chinese aggression."
Following unconfirmed reports of a China entry ban, Teodoro reportedly told local broadcaster ABS-CBN:
"I have no assets in China and no plans to go there. Even if I wanted to visit because of the food and the people, it is overshadowed by the government they have."
China and the Philippines have clashed repeatedly in the South China Sea in recent years. Beijing continues to assert sweeping territorial claims that overlap with those of Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan, despite a 2016 international arbitration ruling rejecting the legal basis for many of its claims.
Earlier this week, Manila took diplomatic action against Beijing over what it described as the "illegal presence" of a floating structure at a disputed atoll.
Yemen's Saudi-led coalition said early on Saturday it had intercepted two ballistic missiles and two drones la...
U.S. television networks resumed coverage of President Donald Trump’s White House events on Friday, providing the first live pool footage of ...
A developing El Niño in the Pacific could become one of the strongest on record, leading to heavier rainfall and a greater risk of severe fl...
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained low on Thursday, as Iran reiterated that it will neither enter into new negotiations with the United States nor re-open the Strait as long as its conditions are not met, despite recent indirect talks in New York mediated by Qatar.
As the Ukraine war is highlighted by some leaders during the United Nations' 81st General Assembly meeting in New York, Russian forces attacked the Ukrainian capital Kyiv early on Thursday with ballistic missiles, killing two people and injuring six, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.
Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan will hold an urgent high-level meeting under a joint defence pact to discuss ways to support the kingdom amid attacks by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis. The meeting comes as Tehran seeks to distance itself from the rapid advance of its Houthi allies.
The 81st UN General Assembly has wrapped up its third day in New York on Thursday, with world leaders delivering high-level speeches and holding diplomatic meetings.
World leaders return to the United Nations headquarters in New York on Friday for the fourth day of the high-level General Debate, with speeches and diplomatic meetings continuing throughout the day.
U.S. television networks resumed coverage of President Donald Trump’s White House events on Friday, providing the first live pool footage of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit as a legal battle continues over restrictions on CNN, MS NOW and Politico.
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is comfortable maintaining its trade standoff with Canada despite new import bans taking effect next week U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Friday.
The military chiefs of Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan met in Riyadh to discuss closer defence cooperation under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.
French President Emmanuel Macron has left open the possibility of seeking the presidency again after he leaves office next year, saying he “doesn’t exclude anything” when asked about a possible third mandate.
World leaders return to the United Nations headquarters in New York on Friday for the fourth day of the high-level General Debate, with speeches and diplomatic meetings continuing throughout the day.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment