The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) declared on Friday that it remains undeterred by Beijing’s “political intimidation” aimed at suppressing the country’s sovereign claims in the West Philippine Sea.
The military’s statement comes after China imposed a travel ban on Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., along with his wife and child. The sanctions bar the family from entering mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau, and prohibit them from conducting business with Chinese entities.
RAdm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, the AFP spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, defended the defense chief, asserting that personal targeting and foreign pressure will not stop the military from exposing territorial violations within the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Trinidad dismissed the “unilateral” sanctions as “ungrounded” and lacking international legal standing. He emphasized that Teodoro’s criticisms of Beijing’s maritime activities are firmly based on international maritime law and the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling.
Despite the escalating diplomatic row, Trinidad assured that the AFP will maintain its regular maritime and aerial patrols within Philippine territory.
Beijing announced the restrictions on Thursday, with the Chinese Foreign Ministry accusing Teodoro of repeatedly making “irresponsible remarks” that allegedly harmed bilateral relations.
“To uphold China’s sovereignty, security and development interests, China has decided to prohibit Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and his spouse and child from entering the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao,” the Chinese government stated.