Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said he remains undaunted by China’s sanctions targeting former senator Francis Tolentino due to his firm stance in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Teodoro, another vocal critic of China, said Beijing’s decision to bar Tolentino from entering Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, and Macau reflects its intolerance toward Philippine officials who call out their illegal and aggressive actions in the WPS.

“Wala naman akong pakialam kung gawin nila sa akin ‘yun (I don’t really care if they do that to me),” the defense chief told reporters on Friday, July 4, referring to China's sanctions.

“Imbes na sagutin nila ang mga paratang sa kanila na batay sa ebidensiya, ganito ang mga ginagawa nila. Eh sino ba naman, si Senator Tolentino ba gustong pumunta ng China? Eh hindi eh (Instead of answering the allegations against them that are based on evidence, this is what they do. And really, who cares? Does Senator Tolentino even want to go to China? He doesn’t),” he added.

Still, Teodoro acknowledged that it is the prerogative of any country to allow or deny anybody from entering its territory without explanation.

“Ngayon kung tatanungin ko naman 'yung reaksyon based on perception ng Pilipino, eh gumagawa lang ng tama si Senator Tolentino, ganito gagawin nila. So ibig sabihin may tinatago talaga sila, nasasaktan sila dahil natumbok ang mga maling gawain nila (Now, if I ask about the reaction based on the Filipino people's perception, it's clear that Senator Tolentino is simply doing the right thing, yet this is how they respond. So that means they’re really hiding something, they’re hurt because their wrongdoing has been exposed),” he stated.

Teodoro further pointing out that Tolentino always follows the proper procedures when visiting China, contrary to what some Chinese are allegedly doing when they enter the Philippines.

“Maraming undocumented dito na taliwas ang pasok (There are many undocumented [individuals] here that entered improperly),” he said.

China imposed sanctions on Tolentino last July 1 due to his “egregious conduct on China-related issues.”

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun even identified Tolentino as one of the handful of “anti-China” politicians in the Philippines.

In response, Tolentino called the sanction a “badge of honor”, saying he has no regrets in defending the country's sovereignty and would continue to protect it as a private citizen.

Tolentino lost in the May midterm elections despite campaigning on a platform centered on securing the country's interests in the WPS.