THE Stratbase Institute condemned China’s sanctions on Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and his family.
In a statement, Stratbase Institute President Victor Andres Manhit said no Filipino official should face penalties for standing firm in defense of the country.
”The sanctions are deeply concerning and constitute an unacceptable attempt to target a Philippine official for defending the Philippines and its people,” Manhit said.
China on Thursday announced sanctions against Teodoro, barring him and his immediate family from entering mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao. Beijing also prohibited Chinese organizations and individuals from conducting business with them, accusing the defense chief of making “irresponsible remarks” that allegedly undermined China’s interests and damaged China-Philippines relations.
Manhit defended Teodoro, saying the defense secretary has consistently asserted the Philippines’ rights under international law and advocated for a rules-based international order.
”He has been clear and consistent in asserting the Philippines’ rights under international law and in advocating for a rules-based international order,” Manhit said.
The Stratbase chief said that efforts to pressure or intimidate Philippine officials would not weaken the country’s resolve to protect its sovereignty and maritime rights.
He noted that China’s sanctions come less than a month before the Philippines marks the 10th anniversary of the landmark 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated Beijing’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea, including areas within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea.
”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,” Manhit said.
He reiterated that the Philippines has both the right and obligation to defend its territorial integrity, maritime entitlements and national security.
Manhit called on Filipinos to support Teodoro and urged the government to remain steadfast in defending the country’s rights while strengthening ties with like-minded nations committed to a rules-based international order.
”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 said.
At the Senate, Sen. Francis Pangilinan on Saturday condemned China’s sanctions on Teodoro, saying it was a direct attack on Philippine sovereignty and an escalation of Beijing’s coercive actions against the country.
”By imposing sanctions on the Philippine Secretary of National Defense, China is striking at the sovereign decisions of the Republic of the Philippines,” Pangilinan said in a statement.
The senator argued that Teodoro merely articulates and implements national policy as a Cabinet official and the president’s alter ego on defense and security concerns. He said punishing Teodoro and his family for carrying out these duties undermines the Philippines’ right to independently determine and defend its national interests.
Pangilinan characterized China’s action as part of a broader pattern of intimidation and coercion directed at a smaller neighboring state that has consistently relied on peaceful and lawful means to address maritime disputes.
He emphasized that the Philippines has pursued diplomatic engagement, legal remedies and adherence to international law, including the landmark 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration that invalidated China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea.
”The Philippines has chosen legal remedies and transparent, rules-based engagement instead of brinkmanship,” he said.
Pangilinan said the action diminishes Beijing’s credibility on the global stage.
”Such actions undermine its claim to be a responsible major power and only strengthen the resolve of democracies — big and small — to stand together against coercion,” he added.
Pangilinan cited his own experience with Chinese sanctions while serving as chairman of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD), a regional alliance of liberal and democratic political parties.
He recalled that in April 2023, Chinese authorities blacklisted CALD and prohibited its officials from entering mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao. The move came amid Beijing’s objections to the organization’s engagement with Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party.
”To a lesser degree, I experienced similar treatment,” Pangilinan said.
He urged the Department of Foreign Affairs to formally protest China’s sanctions against the defense secretary and his family.
Drawing from a personal lesson learned during childhood, Pangilinan likened China’s actions to bullying, saying that yielding to intimidation does not stop further aggression.
”As a child, I learned that bullies prey on those they perceive to be weak. I also learned that kowtowing to a bully does not stop the bullying,” he said.
