Philippine defence chief rejects China criticism, calls response a 'squid tactic'
Teodoro said Beijing’s actions were retaliation after Philippine raids exposed alleged illegal work and environmental violations at a steel plant.
- On Saturday, August 15, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. accused China of using "disinformation through avoidance," characterizing Beijing's warnings that Filipinos would "bear the brunt" of strained ties as "extortion and blackmail."
- Tensions escalated following a May raid in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, where 69 Chinese nationals were arrested for alleged illegal work and environmental violations, including "regurgitation of substandard, radioactively tainted steel."
- During a Senate hearing on August 13, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission Executive Director Benjamin Acorda Jr. alleged Chinese Embassy officials threatened Filipino workers in China unless the 69 nationals were released.
- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun warned Filipinos would "bear the brunt" of worsening ties, prompting Teodoro to respond defiantly: "Di tayo pasisiil"—"We will not allow ourselves to be oppressed."
- The Department of Foreign Affairs is coordinating with Philippine consulates in China to ensure due process for more than 100 Filipinos detained, while China maintains its immigration actions comply with Chinese law.
10 Articles
10 Articles
The Philippine Minister of Defense, Gilberto Teodoro Jr, demanded explanations from Beijing on the alleged involvement of Chinese in illegal activities in the Philippines, as well as on the detention in China of almost 100 Filipinos. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to dodge the crucial issue, said Theodoro in a press release, quoted by the Philippine newspaper ‘The Inquirer'. . .These people [detained in the Philippines] were i…
Philippine defence chief rejects China criticism, calls response a 'squid tactic'
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro rejected on Saturday China's accusation that he has "consistently attacked and smeared" Beijing, branding the remarks as a "classic squid tactic" aimed at avoiding the issues at hand.
DND: Beijing evading ‘crucial issue’ of nationals' illegal acts in PH
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of National Defense (DND) on Saturday hit back at the Chinese Foreign Ministry, accusing it of evading the “crucial issue” of whether the arrested Chinese nationals were engaged in illegal activities in the country. The statement came after Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiankun alleged that Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. had ordered the arrest of Chinese nationals during a raid at a steel …
Teodoro slams China’s ‘squid tactic,’ calls threat vs Filipinos ‘blackmail’
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. accused China of using “disinformation through avoidance,” hitting back at Beijing over its latest statement on the arrest of Chinese nationals in the Philippines and more than 100 Filipinos in China.
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