Philippine defense secretary criticized

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 accusation 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 "simple 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 the individuals involved, and their actions are not directed against any particular country, he added.

"It's 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 said.

Guo said that Teodoro has consistently attacked and smeared China. His actions "harm not only bilateral relations", he said, noting that it is the interests of the Philippines and its people that will bear the brunt.

Also on Friday, Guo urged the United States to stop using maritime issues as a pretext to smear China, after Washington criticized Beijing's establishment and administration of the Huangyan Island National Nature Reserve.