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Teodoro says he's 'indifferent' to China's blacklist; AFP laughs off claims of rift with defense chief
Philippines
National
Teodoro says he's 'indifferent' to China's blacklist; AFP laughs off claims of rift with defense chief
Teodoro says he's 'indifferent' to China's blacklist; AFP laughs off claims of rift with defense chief
Published Jun 23, 2026 03:55 pm
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. (Photo: DND)
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said he is unfazed by sanctions imposed by China as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday, June 23, also dismissed as a “joke” claims that military officers were preparing to file cases against him.
Speaking in a recent interview with the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), a United States-based think tank focused on technology and security, Teodoro said he remained “indifferent” to Beijing's move to blacklist him and members of his family.
“Well, I believe, of course, for me, I'm indifferent to their blacklisting,” Teodoro said when asked about the sanctions imposed by the Chinese government.
China announced last June 11 the imposition of sanctions on Teodoro Jand his immediate family, barring them from entering mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau, and prohibiting Chinese individuals and organizations from conducting business or other dealings with them.
Beijing said the sanctions were imposed because of Teodoro's “irresponsible” and “erroneous” remarks that allegedly harmed China's interests and strained relations with the Philippines. Chinese officials pointed to Teodoro's repeated criticism of Beijing's actions in the South China Sea.
But Teodoro said the sanctions appeared intended more for a domestic audience in China than for him personally.
“I guess those sanctions are not affecting me as much as a message to their own people that the Chinese government is all-powerful, and all strong, and the only sovereign government in the world,” he said.
China’s strategy
According to Teodoro, China has a two-pronged approach when it comes to dealing with countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Indo-Pacific region: co-option and coercion.
He said Beijing uses economic inducements on some countries while exerting pressure on those with maritime or territorial disputes with China.
He accused China of conducting activities in Philippine waters that deny Filipinos access to areas within the country's exclusive economic zone, and alleged that Chinese-linked groups were involved in efforts that undermine the Philippine economy and spread disinformation online.
“For example, the Philippines, they claim is provoking them. How do you provoke a person who has no right to be in your area in the first place?” he said.
To address these issues, Teodoro said the government is strengthening its ability to counter foreign disinformation campaigns through information operations, cyber capabilities, and training in cognitive warfare.
“We are developing our tools to counter disinformation on the digital space,” he said.
The defense chief also highlighted the growing strength of the Philippines' alliance with the United States as both countries prepare to mark the 75th anniversary of the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) this year.
“I think the bilateral relationship between the Philippines and the United States in the defense sphere is extremely strong. It is evolving. It is rapidly evolving,” he said.
Teodoro noted that the Philippines currently has visiting forces arrangements with the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. He added that France became the first European country to sign a similar agreement with Manila earlier this year.
The defense chief said the Philippines is also pursuing modernization efforts focused on territorial defense, cybersecurity, domain awareness, and interoperability with allied countries.
“Another endeavor is integrating interoperability capabilities and operational security with our like-minded partners. This is a very important endeavor, which we take very, very seriously,” he said.
‘No tension between Teodoro, military generals’
Meanwhile, the AFP rejected allegations made by a lawyer who recently filed complaints against Teodoro for perjury and falsification, specifically questioning the status of his Maltese passport.
Last June 18, a lawyer and three other individuals asked the Pasay City Prosecutors’ Office to look into the issues surrounding the citizenship of Teodoro. The complainants, led by lawyer Russel Miraflor, said the issue of citizenship is important as it would determine whether or not Teodoro is qualified to serve as secretary of the DND.
The group reportedly claimed that a majority of AFP generals were considering filing similar cases and alleged that tensions were developing between the defense secretary and the military.
Retired admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, AFP spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, dismissed the claim by the group, saying it was a ‘laughable joke’.
“On the claim that the majority of generals of the AFP would be filing a similar case, that is a joke that should be laughed at and not replied to,” Trinidad said.
When asked if there was truth to reports of friction between Teodoro and the military, Trinidad replied: “That is really a joke. No such claim exists. Laugh at it. It's a good joke.”
AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Padilla likewise rejected the allegations, saying: “We will not dignify baseless and unverified claims.”
The DND previously said Teodoro had already renounced his Maltese passport before filing his certificate of candidacy for the 2022 elections.
The AFP said it remains professional and disciplined while continuing to support the defense secretary as the government confronts security challenges in the WPS and pursues military modernization efforts.