Teodoro links Beijing sanctions to crackdown on illegal Chinese activities

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Saturday said the sanctions imposed by Beijing against him and his family appeared to be a response to the campaign against illegal Chinese activities in the Philippines.

Under the sanctions, Teodoro, his wife, and child are prohibited from entering mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau.

Chinese entities are also barred from engaging in transactions, cooperation, or other activities with them.

Beijing said the measures were imposed to "safeguard China's national sovereignty, security, and development interests," but did not identify the specific remarks that prompted the sanctions.

The Department of Foreign Affairs described the sanctions as "an unfriendly act that further complicates the bilateral relations."

"Ako at ang aking pamilya ay pinatawan ng sanctions ng Communist Party of China dahil daw sa erroneous statements na aking sinabi tungkol sa kanila. Ako ay naglahad lamang ng katotohanan tungkol sa West Philippine Sea at tungkol sa mga illegal na gawain nila dito sa Pilipinas," Teodoro said in a statement.

(My family and I were subjected to sanctions by the Communist Party of China because of what they claimed were erroneous statements I made about them. I merely spoke the truth about the West Philippine Sea and their illegal activities here in the Philippines.)

"Patuloy kong gagampanan ang aking tungkulin at itutuloy ko din kasama ng mga ahensya ng gobyerno ang mga illegal na gawain nila tulad sa Bamban scam hub na front na nagkaroon pa ng Alice Guo at kakasara lang na Sanjia na gumagawa ng substandard at maduming bakal na ibinabaha nila sa mga mamamayan," he added.

(I will continue to fulfill my duty and, together with other government agencies, pursue action against their illegal activities, such as the Bamban scam hub allegedly linked to Alice Guo and the recently shut down Sanjia, which manufactures substandard and contaminated steel that is being sold to the public.)

Teodoro alleged that several high-ranking officials of the Chinese Embassy personally intervened to conceal Sanjia's alleged illegal activities.

He said Sanjia is owned by Tony Yang, the brother of Michael Yang, a former presidential economic adviser who has been linked to several controversies.

According to the Pasay City Police, Tony Yang was arrested on charges of falsification of public documents, perjury, and violation of the law on the use of aliases.

"Hindi ito targeting ng Chinese nationals kundi pagsugpo ng kabalbalan na nagpapahina ng ating bansa," Teodoro said.

(This is not about targeting Chinese nationals but about putting an end to wrongdoing that weakens our country.)

Teodoro also said no high-ranking officials from other countries have opposed his position and that like-minded partners continue to help the Philippines uphold the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

"Gusto ko din naman na maganda sana ang defense relations natin sa China pero hindi maaari dahil sinusubukan nilang sakupin ang nasa loob ng illegal na 9-dash line. Katrayduran kung sumangayon tayo dito," he said.

(I also want our defense relations with China to be good, but that is not possible because they are trying to claim areas within the illegal nine-dash line. Agreeing to this would amount to treason.)

As defense chief, Teodoro vowed to continue strengthening the capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

"Gising po tayo sa mga gawain ng PROC [People's Republic of China] sa puntong ito at may ginawa po tayo kaya ganito ang kasagutan nila. Papaano pa yung ginagawa nila sa kanilang mga mamamayan na hindi panig sa kanila at yung mga tao sa mga lugar na pilit nilang sinakop," Teodoro said.

(We are fully aware of the actions of the People's Republic of China at this point, and we have acted accordingly, which is why they responded this way. Imagine how they treat their own citizens who disagree with them and the people living in territories they have forcibly occupied.)

"Makakaasa po kayo na lalo ko pang itutuloy ang tungkulin ko, at maliwanag ang strategy ng pagpapalakas ng ating national defense kabilang na rin ang pagpapatibay ng mga alyansa ng ating bansa sa mga kaalyado natin," he said.

(You can expect me to continue carrying out my duties, and our strategy to strengthen national defense remains clear, including reinforcing our country's alliances with our partners.) —VBL, GMA News