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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Pangilinan condemns China sanctions vs. Teodoro, urges DFA protest

Pangilinan condemns China sanctions vs. Teodoro, urges DFA protest

Published Jun 13, 2026 03:41 pm
Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Saturday condemned China's sanctions against Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr., calling the move a direct affront to the Philippine government and its sovereign decisions.
Senator Francis
Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan (Senate PRIB photo)
In a statement, Pangilinan said sanctioning Teodoro for carrying out his duties as Secretary of National Defense amounts to an attack not only on the Cabinet official but also on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Philippine state, and the country's constitutional order.
“By imposing sanctions on the Philippine Secretary of National Defense, China is striking at the sovereign decisions of the Republic of the Philippines,” Pangilinan said.
He described Teodoro as the President's alter ego on defense and security matters, tasked with articulating and implementing national policy.
Pangilinan said China's action represents an escalation in what he described as a pattern of coercion and intimidation against the Philippines, which he noted has consistently relied on diplomacy, restraint, and international law in addressing disputes with Beijing.
The senator pointed to the 2016 arbitral ruling on the South China Sea, saying the Philippines has chosen legal and rules-based approaches rather than confrontation.
“By sanctioning a sitting Cabinet member for defending an arbitral ruling and asserting rights guaranteed under international law, China diminishes its own standing in the community of nations,” he said.
Pangilinan also recalled his own experience with Chinese sanctions. In April 2023, China blacklisted the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD), a regional network of liberal and democratic political parties that includes Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party, and barred its officials from entering mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. At the time, Pangilinan was serving as CALD chairperson.
Drawing a parallel to bullying, Pangilinan said yielding to intimidation does not stop further acts of coercion.
“In solidarity with Secretary Gibo, I call on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to formally protest China's sanctions against him and his family,” he said.
Pangilinan also reiterated support for the Philippines' maritime rights ahead of the 10th anniversary of the 2016 arbitral award on July 12.

Related Tags

China sanctions Kiko Pangilinan Department of National Defense (DND) Gibo Teodoro
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