AFP supports DND's Gibo Teodoro amid China sanctions

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday expressed support for Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. following China's imposition of sanctions against him and his family.

According to the AFP, Teodoro's statements "at the Shangri-La Dialogue and other international fora are not 'irresponsible remarks,' but are clear, accurate representations of international law, the 2016 Arbitral Award, and the sovereign rights of the Filipino people."

"These sanctions are a transparent attempt at political intimidation, meant to silence those who expose coercive and illegal actions in our exclusive economic zone (EEZ)," the AFP said in a press statement.

On Thursday, China's foreign ministry said Teodoro, his wife and child are prohibited from entering mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, alleging that the Philippine official "repeatedly made erroneous remarks concerning China" which undermined China's "legitimate interests" and bilateral ties, according to a Reuters report.

The measures were imposed to "safeguard China's national sovereignty, security, and development interests," the ministry added, without specifying what remarks by Teodoro it particularly objected to.

For its part, the Philippine military assured that it would remain committed to its mandate to defend the country's territory, including the disputed West Philippine Sea.

"The AFP maintains that no amount of foreign pressure, legal maneuvering, or personal targeting of our leadership will deter the men and women of the military from performing our constitutional duty," the AFP said.

"We will continue our routine maritime and aerial patrols, protect our fishermen, and defend our sovereignty and every inch of Philippine sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS)," it added.

Teodoro has said he will continue to carry out his duties and defend the country's interests despite China's sanctions.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), meanwhile, expressed belief that although China's move to impose sanctions against Teodoro was within its sovereign prerogative, the move was still "not right."

'Unacceptable'

Meanwhile, think tank Stratbase Institute expressed concern over the sanction, which they said constituted an "unacceptable attempt" to target a Philippine official for defending the country.

"These sanctions reflect China's continued disregard of this legal victory and a reminder of why we must continue to push back against those that undermine it," Stratbase president Dindo Manhit said.

Manhit said "no Filipino official should be penalized for standing firm in defense of the country and its people" as he stood pat that Teodoro "has been clear and consistent in asserting the Philippines' rights under international law and in advocating for a rules-based international order."

Manhit also warned China that attempts to intimidate or pressure officials who uphold these principles would not weaken the country's resolve.

"We call on all patriotic Filipinos to stand with Secretary Teodoro, and for the government to remain steadfast in defending its rights, strengthening partnerships with like-minded nations, and upholding a rules-based international order," he added.

Travel ban vs. Tolentino

Last year, China banned also former senator Francis Tolentino from entering its mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao due to "egregious conduct" on China-related issues.

Tolentino sponsored in the Senate the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, which is a declaration that Manila exercises sovereignty and jurisdiction over its internal waters, territorial sea archipelagic waters, and the airspace over it, including its seabed and subsoil.

He was also the principal sponsor of the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, which was meant to help ensure the country's maritime domain, and strengthen territorial integrity and national security.

Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.

In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal in Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis." China has not recognized the decision. — VDV, GMA News