DND's Teodoro: China's action vs 100 Filipinos 'plain and simple extortion, blackmail'

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Thursday condemned China’s action against more than 100 Filipinos suspected of illegally working or living in China.

Teodoro issued the statement after Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said China had taken action against over 100 Filipinos as part of a campaign against foreigners suspected of illegally entering, living, or working in the country.

“The action against 100 Filipinos is plain and simple extortion and blackmail,” Teodoro said.

“We strongly condemn both the attempt by China to interfere in our law enforcement processes and the blatant blackmail against Filipinos,” he added.

At a press conference on August 10, Guo said Chinese immigration authorities had been strengthening their supervision of foreigners illegally entering, staying, or working in China.

Guo said special operations had been conducted in accordance with Chinese law, resulting in action against “over 100 Philippine nationals” suspected of illegally working or living in China.

“While carrying out the special operations, our immigration staff acted in a standard and civil manner and ensured the protection of the rights and interests of the foreign nationals concerned,” Guo said.

In May, 69 Chinese were also nabbed in a raid on 'hazardous' steel plant tied to Tony Yang in Misamis Oriental in the Philippines.

Teodoro pointed out that “Filipinos in China have neither the intent nor the capacity to commit violations of Chinese law much less in the scale perpetuated by Chinese nationals here.”

“If these Chinese nationals were not involved in defrauding the Filipino people, which is now amplified by the cover up done by Chinese authorities, then they will be treated in the same way as other law abiding foreigners residing in the Philippines,” he added. — RSJ, GMA News