Tinawag ni Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. na karaniwang gawain ng China ang pagpapataw ng sanctions laban sa mga nagsasalita tungkol sa umano’y panlilinlang nito.
Reaksyon ito ni Teodoro matapos siyang patawan ng China ng sanctions, kasama ang kanyang immediate family.
“That is their right. That is truly what they do to those who speak the truth against their deception,” ani Teodoro sa statement nitong Biyernes.
“Their own countrymen and the others under their control suffer far worse. I will just keep doing my duty and uphold our nation in the face of the wickedness they are committing here and even in our seas,” dagdag niya.
Ipinagbawal ng China si Teodoro at ang kanyang immediate family na pumasok sa mainland China, Hong Kong, at Macao.
Pinagbawalan din ang Chinese organizations at individuals na magsagawa ng business, cooperation, transactions, o iba pang activities kasama sila.
Ayon sa Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, paulit-ulit umanong gumawa si Teodoro ng “irresponsible remarks on China” na umano’y “undermines China’s legitimate interests and sabotages China-Philippines relations.”
Hindi tinukoy ng China kung aling remarks ni Teodoro ang pinatutungkulan nito.
Matagal nang vocal si Teodoro sa pagbatikos sa aggression at coercive actions ng China sa West Philippine Sea, at sa paggiit ng karapatan at interes ng Pilipinas sa nasabing karagatan.
Tinawag naman ng Department of Foreign Affairs na “unfriendly act” ang sanctions ng China.
“While the imposition of sanctions is China’s sovereign prerogative, the Philippines views it as an unfriendly act that further complicates the bilateral relations,” ayon kay Foreign Affairs spokesperson Analyn Ratonel sa statement noong Huwebes.
“Such measures do not contribute to building mutual trust, managing differences responsibly, or creating the conditions necessary for constructive engagement between our two countries,” dagdag niya. /Bistado