MANILA — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has accused the Chinese Embassy of openly interfering in Philippine politics and challenged Beijing to publicly identify Filipino politicians allegedly maintaining ties with China, escalating a diplomatic dispute that has fueled calls for the expulsion of Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan.
Teodoro warned that the embassy’s public statements and social media activities directed at Philippine politicians could amount to foreign interference in the country’s domestic affairs, raising concerns over Beijing’s alleged attempts to influence the nation’s political system.
“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,” Teodoro said.
The defense chief challenged Chinese officials to substantiate their claims about Filipino politicians supposedly maintaining connections with Beijing, saying public disclosure would allow authorities and the public to determine whether the allegations were credible or intended to destabilize the country.
“Eh di i-disclose nila, i-disclose nila. Tapos malalaman natin kung totoo o hindi or talagang nagde-destab na sila dito,” Teodoro told reporters.
He questioned the logic behind Beijing’s supposed willingness to expose politicians sympathetic to China, suggesting that such claims could instead be intended to discredit certain Philippine officials.
“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.
Teodoro also urged Filipinos to scrutinize political figures who continue to express support for Chinese officials despite statements and actions that he considers contrary to Philippine national interests.
His remarks came amid growing criticism of Ambassador Jing, whose public exchanges with Philippine officials have prompted some lawmakers to seek his declaration as persona non grata.
The defense secretary particularly disagreed with Senator Robinhood Padilla’s favorable remarks about the Chinese ambassador, saying Filipino officials should not praise a diplomat whose conduct he considers offensive to the Philippines.
“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 further criticized Jing’s confrontational exchanges with Philippine officials, warning that the ambassador’s actions could undermine broader diplomatic relations between Manila and Beijing.
“Matalino ba ang tao na ‘yan o edukado ba ‘yan? Biro mo, idadamay mo ‘yung buong interest ng bansa mo dahil nakikipagbardagulan ka,” he added.
Teodoro also demanded an explanation from Jing over the ambassador’s reported challenge for Philippine authorities to close the Chinese Embassy in Manila.
He questioned why a diplomat would publicly raise the possibility of shutting down his own country’s diplomatic mission, particularly amid already strained relations between the two governments.
“Kung naghahamon siya na ipasara ‘yung Chinese Embassy, wala rin siyang regard sa kanyang sariling bansa,” he 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 went further by questioning the embassy’s activities in the Philippines, suggesting that its conduct warranted closer scrutiny amid his allegations of political interference.
“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 maintained that Jing should clarify his statements, emphasizing that the controversy extends beyond personal disagreements with Philippine officials and could have broader consequences for diplomatic relations and the interests of both countries.
The escalating dispute has also reached Congress, where several House members have urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to declare Jing persona non grata, while some senators have expressed disappointment over the ambassador’s public statements./PN
