Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. dismissed a reported Chinese entry ban targeting him and his family. The Chinese Embassy in Manila stated it would protect the rights of its citizens and institutions in the Philippines.
Teodoro said he has no plans to visit China and holds no assets there. The reported measures include a ban on entry to China, Hong Kong, and Macao, along with asset freezes. The Department of Foreign Affairs noted that law enforcement operations in the Philippines are not aimed at any specific nationality. These operations included the arrest of 24 Chinese nationals in Panabo City, Davao del Norte, last month for alleged immigration violations. On May 15, authorities raided a steel plant in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, and detained 69 Chinese nationals and one Filipino over similar issues. The Chinese Embassy issued its statement following these arrests.
