Atin Ito | Ontario’s First Filipino Community Newspaper – Trusted News and Stories for the Filipino-Canadian Community Atin Ito is Ontario’s first Filipino community newspaper, delivering trusted news, stories, and updates for Filipino-Canadians. Stay connected with your community.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. during his visit to the headquarters of the 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division of the Philippine Army at Camp Evangelista, Cagayan de Oro City on June 3, 2026. (Courtesy: Department of National Defense Philippines)
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Wednesday brushed aside reports that he and his family had allegedly been barred from entering China and could face asset restrictions.
“I have no assets in China and I have no plans to go there,” Teodoro told reporters in Cagayan de Oro City on Wednesday.
“Even if I wanted to visit because the food is good and the people are kind, that is overshadowed by the kind of government they have,” he added.
According to an ABS-CBN report, an unnamed source familiar with the matter claimed that the defense chief and his family had allegedly been barred from entering China following a law enforcement operation at Philippine Sanjia Steel Corp. in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.
The May 15 raid was carried out by personnel from the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the National Bureau of Investigation.
The same source reportedly claimed that Chinese authorities were looking into possible assets owned by Teodoro and his family in China, with the intention of freezing or restricting them should any be found, ABS-CBN said.
The steel manufacturing plant is located within the Philippine Veterans Investment Development Corp. Industrial Estate, a semi-autonomous government-owned and controlled corporation supervised by the Department of National Defense.
The incident drew criticism from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Philippines, which questioned the legality of the operation and raised concerns over the treatment of the Chinese nationals involved.
During her press conference in Beijing on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning criticized Teodoro, describing him as someone known for vilifying China.
“What he does is seriously detrimental to China-Philippines ties and trust and not at all in the interest of his own country and people. The Philippine side needs to ask itself: If people like him are allowed to do whatever they want, how exactly can China continue to provide supplies and aid to the Philippines? Who should pay the price? Whose interests will be in jeopardy?” Mao said. — Rex Espiritu
*****
Credit belongs to: www.manilastandard.net
