Philippines protests China's sanctions against its defense chief as 'an unfriendly act'

China has banned Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and his family from entering China (including Hong Kong and Macao) and barred transactions with them, calling his remarks “irresponsible.”
The Philippines called the sanctions “an unfriendly act” that complicates bilateral ties; Teodoro says he’ll keep defending Manila’s interests against Beijing’s aggression.
Teodoro, a vocal critic of China’s South China Sea claims, has pushed closer defense cooperation with the U.S. and other allies, including joint naval patrols and visiting‑forces agreements.