Teodoro dares China to disclose dealings with Filipino politicians
Filipino residents and soldiers conduct a flag raising ceremony during the visit of Philippines military chief General Gregorio Catapang Junior in Pagasa Island (Thitu Island) at the Spratly group of islands in the South China Sea, west of Palawan, on May 11, 2015. Catapang visited the island amid escalating tensions with China over its alleged reclamation and building activities in the disputed South China Sea. The Spratlys are considered a potential Asian flashpoint, and claimant nations have expressed alarm as China has embarked on massive reclamation activity. Ritchie B. Tongo, Pool/AFPQUEZON CITY — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Friday challenged China to disclose the names of Filipino politicians it claims have dealings with Beijing, saying the public should know whether the allegations are true.
“Eh di i-disclose nila, i-disclose nila. Tapos malalaman natin kung totoo o hindi or talagang nagde-destab na sila dito,” Teodoro told defense reporters in a virtual interview.
Teodoro said social media posts by the Chinese Embassy in Manila targeting Filipino politicians could amount to interference in the Philippines’ internal affairs.
“When they cross the line—na ‘yung embassy Facebook page nila—they are already intervening in internal matters or worse, they are already participating in the political system of the Philippines, hindi covertly but overtly,” he said.
He also questioned the credibility of the allegations, saying Beijing would be unlikely to name politicians who support China if its objective were to expose those supposedly working against its interests.
“Isi-smear nila ang politicians, lalo nang mag-iimbento sila ng gawain. Alangan naman i-disclose nila ‘yung mga kampi sa kanila kung ganyan lang ang usapan, hindi ba? Kaya kalokohan ‘yun,” he said.
He also urged Filipinos to be mindful of those who continue to welcome or accommodate Chinese officials despite their statements against the Philippines.
Teodoro also disagreed with Senator Robinhood Padilla’s recent praise for Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan, amid calls to declare the envoy persona non grata.
“Walang Pilipino dapat ang pumuri diyan sa tao na ’yan. Kaya bagama’t ganoon ang sinabi ng ating senador, ako ay tutol sa pagpuri diyan sa tao na ’yan,” Teodoro said.
He criticized the ambassador’s conduct, saying it was inappropriate to publicly confront Filipino officials and risk broader Philippine-China relations.
“Matalino ba ang tao na ‘yan o edukado ba ‘yan? Biro mo, idadamay mo ‘yung buong interest ng bansa mo dahil nakikipagbardagulan ka,” Teodoro added.
The Philippines’ defense chief also called on Jing to clarify his remarks challenging the Philippines to close the Chinese Embassy in Manila, saying the envoy would be failing in his responsibilities if he risked his country’s diplomatic mission because of his public exchanges with Philippine officials.
“Kung naghahamon siya na ipasara ‘yung Chinese Embassy, wala rin siyang regard sa kanyang sariling bansa,” Teodoro said.
“So, kung idadamay niya ang sariling niyang embahada sa kagagawan niya, hindi lang siya nagkukulang bilang isang tao na walang modo kung hindi nagkukulang pa siya sa responsibilidad sa sarili niyang gobyerno.”
The defense chief questioned the purpose of the embassy’s activities in the Philippines, suggesting that its operations should be examined if they were limited to activities that disrupt the country.
“Baka naman kasi ‘yung embahada nila iisa lang ang ginagawa. Kung ‘yun naman ay katotohanan, eh di ipasara na lang nila, di ba?” he said.
“Pero kung sa tulad ng sinasabi ng China na marami silang ginagawa dito na iba’t iba, bakit niya idadamay ang embahada niya unless na totoo na isa lang naman ang ginagawa na embahada nila—na i-disrupt lang tayo dito?” he continued.
Teodoro urged Jing to clarify his statement, saying the matter had implications for the Chinese people and the broader relationship between the Philippines and China.