China blasts DND chief over ‘unwarranted accusations’

The Chinese Embassy in Manila on Wednesday slammed Department of Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. for his alleged “unwarranted accusations” against Beijing and its leaders.

In a Viber message to reporters, the embassy rejected Teodoro’s criticism, labeling them as “ideologically biased” and stuck in a “Cold War” mindset.

“China is a country under the rule of law. We treat defendants of different nationalities as equals and handle cases justly in strict accordance with the law,” the embassy said.

In his media interview in Palawan earlier this week, Teodoro blasted China’s exploitation of sites near Philippine waters and highlighted the arrest of Chinese nationals involved in illegal activities, such as gambling and running illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators.

He also criticized China President Xi Jinping’s perceived overreach, which he claimed undermines the authority of his party in China and the goodwill established by his predecessors.

Teodoro lamented Xi’s harmful policies that could destabilize its internal stability and damage its relations with other nations.

In response, the embassy criticized Teodoro for making “politically motivated accusations.”

“The Philippine Defense Secretary’s unwarranted accusations against China, as well as his malicious attacks on the Communist Party of China and Chinese leaders, are filled with ideological bias and Cold War thinking,” it stressed.

“We firmly oppose and strongly condemn such remarks,” it added.

The embassy also urged Philippine authorities to stop making provocative statements about China.

“Our message is clear: Stop making irresponsible statements about China and no more stunts for their personal political agenda,” it said.