Beijing's sanctions on Teodoro is hurting PH-China ties – Marcos

MANILA, Philippines — China’s sanction and its embassy’s persistent verbal barrage against Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gilbero” Teodoro Jr. is not helping in mending the ties between Beijing and Manila, according to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Marcos said China’s actions have been “very unhelpful… because it achieves very little,” especially as he committed to reset ties between the two nations, which has grown tense in the recent years because of the issue in the West Philippine Sea.

“It does not move the discussion between the Philippines and China regarding the territorial conflicts that we have. It does not move that process forward in any way,” Marcos told reporters in Vancouver on Saturday as he capped his official visit to Canada.

Article continues after this advertisement

“It does not make it easier. It does not lessen the risk of a mistake or some kind of skirmish that could grow into something more,” he added.

FEATURED STORIES

WWW

WWW

WWW

It was the first time that the president himself addressed China’s persona non grata tag on Teodoro and his family, barring them from entering mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao for unspecified, allegedly “irresponsible” remarks made by the defense chief.

China’s move against Teodoro is an unprecedented move against a cabinet member since bilateral ties were established 51 years ago between the two countries.

Marcos’ defense of his alter ego came as the Philippines is set to observe on July 12 the 10th anniversary of the 2016 arbitral award.

The award gave the Philippines exclusive rights to explore and exploit the natural resources within its exclusive economic zone under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos).

Article continues after this advertisement

It also invalidated China’s expansive claim in the South China Sea.

Beijing, however, has refused to recognize the ruling.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: West PH Sea arbitral win 10th anniversary kicks off with sea action

For Marcos, Teodoro’s remarks in different global fora defending the country’s sovereignty and rights in the West Philippine Sea was just part of his job as defense secretary.

While he acknowledged that it is China’s prerogative to sanction Teodoro in its territories, “but in the largest scheme of things in my view… it raises the level of tension rather than [teach] lessons.”

In March, Marcos thought it may be time to reset the Philippines’ relationship with China amid the Middle East crisis, which is mainly driven by the country’s treaty ally, the United States and Israel’s war with Iran.

He considered reviving the shelved plan for Manila and Beijing to reach a deal in jointly developing oil and gas resources in the West Philippine Sea, despite escalating tensions in the region due to the territorial dispute.

According to Marcos, he was moving forward trying to resolve the issue between Manila and China by continuing to talk in as many lines of communication as possible.

“Everything that we can do is being explored. And cutting off another line of communication, which is through our defense ministries, I do not see how it will help that process that we’re trying to achieve to manage the tensions in the West Philippine Sea, to lessen the likelihood of something happening that will be a trigger for something worse,” he said.

READ: Palace sees no rift in PH-China ties despite Teodoro, embassy word war

The Chinese Embassy in Manila, in its statements, rejected the 2016 arbitration award and called it “a political manipulation disguised in legal garb.”

Teodoro called out the “insincerity and duplicity” of China through its embassy officials.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

“We condemn the arrogant display of deceitful indignation by them. What they are saying is no longer believable. Hence, they are resorting to agitation,” he said. /apl