Philippine officials rally behind Teodoro after China imposes sanctions

MJ Farrley Ong

Following Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.’s sanctioning by China, Philippine officials, military leaders, and legal experts have expressed support for the defense chief, intensifying calls for a stronger diplomatic response against Beijing. 

Former Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio led the latest pushback urging the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to challenge China’s sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea and consider reciprocal measures following Beijing’s decision to bar Teodoro and his family from entering its territories. 

On June 11, China’s foreign ministry announced that it had prohibited Teodoro, his spouse, and child from entering mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao.

Teodoro was accused of making repetitive remarks that allegedly harmed the interest of China and bilateral relations. 

The move drew criticism from the Philippine officials and lawmakers right away, describing this as not only an attack on Teodoro but also on the country’s sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea. 

Lawmakers, military officials condemn China’s move

“By sanctioning a sitting Cabinet member for defending an arbitral ruling and asserting rights guaranteed under international law, China diminishes its own standing in the community of nations,” Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said.

The senator also emphasized that China’s action represented “a clear escalation” of threatening tactics against the Philippines, noting that Manila has relied on diplomacy and international law, including the 2016 arbitral ruling, in addressing maritime debates. 

Representative Percival Cendaña echoed the sentiment, saying China’s sanctions showed that Teodoro remains steadfast in defending Philippine sovereignty. 

The Armed Forces of the Philippines likewise condemned the move, saying it disregards the Philippines’ legitimate exercise of sovereign rights and national interests, and reaffirmed Teodoro’s role in defending maritime entitlements under international law.

Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela, said the sanctions should instead be seen as recognition of Teodoro’s strong position against Chinese actions in disputed waters.

“Sanctioning a man and his family for telling the truth and standing up for his country’s sovereignty is not strength,” said Tarriela in a social media post.

Carpio urges stronger countermeasures, DFA action

As support grew for Teodoro, Carpio called for a more aggressive response from the Philippines. He proposed a “tit-for-tat” approach, suggesting that China’s defense minister be declared persona non grata in the Philippines in response to Beijing’s actions. 

Carpio made the suggestion in an interview, warning that failure to respond at the same level could embolden further actions from Beijing.

He also urged the DFA to immediately protest China’s position on the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdictions Agreement, also known as the High Seas Treaty, after Beijing reportedly claimed the treaty would not apply to disputed areas in the South China Sea due to its so-called 10-dash line claim.

Carpio warned that failure to protest these claims within a reasonable period could be interpreted under international law as implied consent, citing the doctrine that silence may be taken as acceptance of a disputed claim.

“There is a doctrine in international law that if a state makes a claim that prejudices another state makes a claim that prejudices another state and there is no protest within a reasonable time, it may be deemed to have consented” he explained. 

The exchange marks the latest chapter behind the increasingly tense relationship between Manila and Beijing, as disputes in the West Philippine Sea continue to arise and test diplomatic relations for a firmer response from the Philippines.