FM says Philippines defense chief's attacks harm bilateral ties

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro's repeated attacks and smears against China are damaging bilateral relations and will also harm the interests of the Philippines and its people, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Friday.

Guo made the remarks when asked about Teodoro's claim that China was using immigration enforcement actions involving more than 100 Philippine nationals to pressure Manila over its law enforcement operations against Chinese citizens.

Teodoro reportedly described the Chinese measures as "extortion and blackmail".

"Foreign nationals in China should abide by Chinese laws and regulations," Guo said.

China's immigration authorities perform their duties in accordance with the law and protect the lawful rights and interests of individuals involved, and their actions are not directed against any particular country, Guo added.

"It is learned that it was exactly this defense secretary who personally led the armed forces to seize and detain Chinese nationals lawfully working in the Philippines," Guo added.

He said Teodoro has consistently attacked and smeared China and that his actions "harm not only bilateral relations" but the interests of the Philippines and all its people.