Philippine Defence Chief Defies China Sanctions on Him and Relatives as Manila Seeks Talks
Updated
Updated · Reuters · Jun 11
Philippine Defence Chief Defies China Sanctions on Him and Relatives as Manila Seeks Talks
3 articles · Updated · Reuters · Jun 11
Summary
Gilberto Teodoro said he would keep doing his duty despite Chinese sanctions announced a day earlier against him and his close relatives.
China said the move answered Teodoro's repeated "erroneous remarks" on China, after he recently called Beijing a threat and accused it of aggression in Philippine waters.
Manila's foreign minister Ma. Theresa Lazaro said the Philippines would seek discussions with Beijing because it does not believe in sanctions and prefers diplomacy and dialogue.
The foreign ministry called the sanctions an unfriendly act that further complicates bilateral relations, already strained by South China Sea clashes and Manila's protest this week over a floating structure in a disputed atoll.