MANILA, Philippines —The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday expressed solidarity with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. following China’s imposition of a travel and business engagement ban against him and his family over his relentless stance against China’s illegal presence and aggressive behavior within Philippine waters.
“The Armed Forces of the Philippines stands in absolute solidarity with Department of National Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. following the unilateral and ungrounded sanctions imposed by the People’s Republic of China,” Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad (Res), AFP spokesman for the West Philippine Sea said in a statement.
China has accused Teodoro of making “irresponsible remarks” against its government which it said escalates tensions between Manila and Beijing as both countries grapple with maritime disputes.
“The Secretary’s firm statements at the Shangri-La Dialogue and other international fora are not 'irresponsible remarks,' but are clear, accurate representations of international law, the 2016 Arbitral Award, and the sovereign rights of the Filipino people,” Trinidad said.
Trinidad said these sanctions are a “transparent attempt at political intimidation” meant to silence those who expose coercive and illegal actions in our exclusive economic zone.
“The AFP maintains that no amount of foreign pressure, legal maneuvering, or personal targeting of our leadership will deter the men and women of the military from performing our constitutional duty,” Trinidad said.
“We will continue our routine maritime and aerial patrols, protect our fishermen, and defend our sovereignty and every inch of Philippine sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea,” he added.
