CHINA BLACKLISTS DND CHIEF, FAMILY

THE Chinese government has blacklisted Philippines Defense Secretary Gilberto ‘Gibo’ Teodoro and his immediate family from entering the territory of China that includes Hongkong and Macao, for his alleged “irresponsible remarks” and for undermining China’s legitimate interests and his efforts to sabotage China-Philippines 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, and not allow organizations and individuals in China to engage in any transaction, cooperation or other activities with him and his spouse and child,” China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced last Thursday, June 11.

Teodoro now joins the growing list of Philippine officials banned from China’s territory for reasons cited above by China’s Foreign Ministry.

In February, China also blacklisted the municipal officials of Kalayaan while former senator Francis Tolentino was similarly sanctioned last year.

Going further, the Chinese government also barred former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario from entering Hongkong in June 2019, also for his unceasing efforts to sour China’s relationship with the Philippines.

In March of the same year, del Rosario, long retired, and former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, took the bold step of accusing Chinese President Xi Jinping of ‘crimes against humanity’ before the International Criminal Court (ICC) involving Filipino fishermen in an effort to sensationalize further the two countries’ dispute in the South China Sea.

A month before, Morales, one year retired as OMB, was also deported back to the Philippines after arriving in Hongkong for a family vacation.

‘Sugar-coated trick’

What snapped China’s patience on Teodoro was attributed to his insulting remarks at the ‘Shangri-la Dialogue’ held in Singapore from May 29 to May 31 where he described China’s latest help of supplying the Philippines with fertilizer and diesel as a “sugar-coated trick.”

Teodoro doubled down on his accusations by claiming, without presenting evidence, that China wants to “control” Philippine agriculture by supplying it with cheap fertilizer.

China agreed to loosen its policy of not exporting oil products and fertilizers to prioritize its domestic needs as the ongoing war in the Middle East between Iran, Israel and the United States continues to affect global supply on the appeal of President Marcos Jr.

When the war in the Middle East erupted on February 28, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz where more than 20 percent of global oil traffic, majority bound for Asia, passes thru. The Strait is also where over 30 percent of global supply for urea fertilizer passes thru.

But as a result of the meetings between Chinese and Filipino officials, China provided 150,000 tons of urea fertilizer last April and 260,000 barrels of diesel, without attaching any political conditions.

“Let me stress that if people like Teodoro are allowed to undermine again and again the efforts of the two sides to stabilize ties, they will hurt ultimately the fundamental interests of the Philippines and its people,” — Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian

Chinese Ambassador HE Jing Quan, in his meeting with Agriculture Secretary Francis Tiu Laurel last March also affirmed that China would not stop its fertilizer exports to the Philippines.

In September 2023, as a further gesture of goodwill arising from President Marcos’ state visit early in the year, China also donated 20,000 metric tons of urea fertilizer based on the President’s appeal.

Corollary to this, China also agreed to lower the price of its fertilizer export to the Philippines, a policy that has not changed despite changes in the global situation.

No rush to help this time

The efforts by Teodoro and other officials taking guidance from the United States to sabotage China-Philippines relations appear to be succeeding in accordance with their agenda.

This, after the Chinese Embassy merely expressed its “heartfelt condolences” to the victims of the Sarangani earthquake without announcing any offer of aid.

The June 8 earthquake measuring 7.8 magnitude claimed the lives of at least 61 victims while causing extensive damage to infrastructure.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and damage caused by the earthquake in Mindanao.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Philippine people, mourn those who lost their lives, and express our sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and all those affected by the disaster,” said the Embassy in its social media page.

China’s International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) also sounded passive in its reaction, saying it is “closely following the development of the disaster and was willing to provide emergency disaster relief assistance within its capacity, based on the actual needs of the Philippine side.”

CIDAC has always been in the frontline of humanitarian assistance the world over by immediately sending help to countries hit by disasters and humanitarian crisis such as Myanmar, Laos, Pakistan, Lebanon, and Afghanistan, among others.

Lin Jian, MFA spokesman, reacting to a question on June 12, already hinted that ordinary Filipinos are becoming victims of Teodoro and his gang’s anti-China campaign.

“Let me stress that if people like Teodoro are allowed to undermine again and again the efforts of the two sides to stabilize ties, they will hurt ultimately the fundamental interests of the Philippines and its people,” Lin warned.