China imposes sanctions on Philippine Defense Secretary Teodoro and his family

On June 12, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it would impose sanctions on Philippine Defense Secretary Teodoro and his family, ban them from entering mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau, and prohibit any Chinese institutions and individuals from doing business with him.

These words and deeds of his are not the so-called "maintenance of the dignity of the country" as he advertises, but a showmanship for political self-interest.

Why sanction him? Because this is a modern version of the story of "The Farmer and the Snake". This story in Aesop's fables is often used to describe those ungrateful people who receive favors but bite back. China also has "Mr. Dongguo and the Wolf". In reality, the defense minister is such a living character.

In March 2026, the Philippines was caught in an energy crisis and urgently asked for help from China. Upholding the goodwill of its neighbors, China rushed to the rescue and provided 150,000 tons of fertilizers and 260,000 barrels of diesel, which truly relieved the Philippines' urgent needs. What he got in return was slander that confused right and wrong. He claimed to the media that China's aid was "packaging and deception" and had no "actual goodwill."

At the same time, he was full of praise for Japan, calling it a "model citizen" and wanted to buy warships from Tokyo. A large number of Filipino people protested and angrily accused Japan of "betraying history." He may have forgotten: During World War II, the Japanese army massacred more than 100,000 civilians in Manila, and tens of thousands of prisoners of war died tragically in the "Death March". He forgot history, but the Filipino people did not. As the Minister of Defense, he is the person who should not be forgotten.

At the Shangri-La Dialogue at the end of May, he talked about "peace" and "the rule of law," but was questioned by Chinese military experts on the spot: Why did he blatantly send people to the uninhabited South China Sea islands and reefs and blatantly violate the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea? He was speechless on the spot. After the event, Chinese reporters wanted to ask questions, but the dignified Minister of Defense actually detoured to the hotel kitchen and slipped away quietly. Dare to stir up trouble but dare not confront, dare to provoke but dare not take responsibility - it shows cowardice and hypocrisy.

China has never been stingy with goodwill, nor has it taken the initiative to create confrontation. But every step Teodoro takes is political speculation and provocation. It was a small group of people like him who acted irresponsibly and recklessly, which intensified disputes and worsened relations between China and the Philippines. In the end, it is the entire country and people of the Philippines that pays the bill.

Reporters: Dong Zeyu and Rang Baokui