Camille Naredo

Philippines' Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr delivers a speech as he attends the sixth plenary session of the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore on May 31, 2026. Jam Sta. Rosa, AFP

Philippines' Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr delivers a speech as he attends the sixth plenary session of the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore on May 31, 2026. (Photo by JAM STA ROSA / AFP)

Article (news)

Gilberto Teodoro

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780479534985AFP__20260531__B4J29KU__v1__MidRes__SingaporeDiplomacyDefenceShangriLa.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Philippines&#x27; Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr delivers a speech as he attends the sixth plenary session of the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore on May 31, 2026. Jam Sta. Rosa, AFP"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Philippines&#x27; Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr delivers a speech as he attends the sixth plenary session of the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore on May 31, 2026. <em>Jam Sta. Rosa, AFP</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. brushed aside a report that he and his family had allegedly been barred from entering China and could face asset restrictions, saying he has no plans to visit and has no assets in the country.</p><p>“Wala akong assets sa China at wala akong balak pumunta doon,” Teodoro told reporters in Cagayan de Oro City on Wednesday.</p><p>“Gusto ko man dumalaw dahil masarap ang pagkain at mababait ang mga tao, pero natatabunan ito sa klase ng gobyerno na meron sila,” he added.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/31/ph-remains-under-threat-from-china-despite-trump-xi-summit-says-teodoro-2231">READ: PH remains under threat from China despite Trump-Xi summit, says Teodoro</a></div><p>According to the report, an unnamed source familiar with the matter claimed that Teodoro and his family had allegedly been barred from entering China following a law enforcement operation at the Philippine Sanjia Steel Corporation in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, where <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/5/16/69-chinese-nationals-found-illegally-working-in-steel-manufacturing-plant-1724">69 Chinese nationals</a> were found handling harmful or noxious materials.</p><p>The May 15 raid was carried out by personnel from the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).</p><p>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.</p><p>The steel manufacturing plant sits within the PHIVIDEC (Philippine Veterans Investment Development Corporation) Industrial Estate, a semi-autonomous government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) supervised by the Department of National Defense (DND).</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>‘THREAT TO NATIONAL SECURITY’</strong></div><p>Teodoro visited the Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division at Camp Edilberto Evangelista to personally present awards to personnel who took part in the raid.</p><p>He was accompanied by 4ID Commander MGen Marion Angcao.</p><p>“Sinugpo natin ang isa sa pinakamalaking threats sa ating national security,” Teodoro said in his talk to the troops.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/1/teodoro-questions-china-s-sincerity-seeks-stronger-defense-ties-with-vietnam-1743">READ: Teodoro questions China’s sincerity, seeks stronger defense ties with Vietnam</a></div><p>The incident drew criticism from the Chinese Embassy in Manila, which questioned the legality of the operation and raised concerns over the treatment of the Chinese nationals involved.</p><p>In a statement, Chinese Embassy spokesperson Ji Lingpeng urged the Philippines to “handle the cases in a fair and just manner” and safeguard the safety, rights and interests of the Chinese nationals involved.</p><p>“Should the investigation confirm that they have violated no Philippine laws, the relevant Chinese nationals shall be released as soon as possible, and no illegal or prolonged detention shall be allowed,” he said in a statement last week.</p><p>The embassy stressed that Beijing “fully respects the Philippines’ judicial sovereignty and its efforts to handle cases in accordance with the law,” but expressed opposition to what it called “selective and discriminatory law enforcement targeting Chinese nationals.”</p><p>According to Ji, Chinese diplomatic missions in the Philippines have already lodged “solemn representations” with Philippine authorities over the recent apprehensions.</p><p>China further called on the Philippine government to avoid what it described as “abuse of law enforcement powers and political manipulation,” warning that such actions could affect people-to-people exchanges and economic ties between the two countries.</p><p>Teodoro rejected allegations that the operation targeted Chinese nationals, saying authorities were focused on violations of Philippine laws.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/5/26/raided-steel-plant-rejects-national-security-concerns-says-chinese-workers-legally-employed-1640">READ: Raided steel plant rejects national security concerns, says Chinese workers legally employed</a></div><p>“May basehan ang pagpasok, and the findings validate the basis for the issuance of the search warrant,” he said.</p><p>“Sinagot na iyan ng DFA [Department of Foreign Affairs] na we are not targeting Chinese nationals. We are targeting illegal behavior. Natataon na ang natutumbok natin na malalaki at large scale—illegal mining, kung anu-ano pa—ay nationals ng People’s Republic of China,” he continued.</p><p>The defense chief also dismissed suggestions that the operation was politically motivated.</p><p>“Sa mga may haka-haka, mabuting sagutin muna ng Sanjia ang violations na nakita dito. Those are facts. Yung pamumulitika is speculation or motive. Hindi ko kailangang magprove ng motive kung established na ang violations,” Teodoro noted.</p><p>“Kung ano ang violation, makukwestyon mo ang motibo. Ito mas maliwanag pa sa noo ko,” he said in jest.</p><p>PAOCC Executive Director Undersecretary Benjamin Acorda Jr. likewise denied allegations of discrimination and political motivations behind the operation.</p><p>“There is no discrimination here. Ang masasabi ko lang is that all participating agencies in this operation prepared an airtight case,” Acorda said. “This was a PAOCC-initiated operation. The SND was involved because of PHIVIDEC bilang pagrespeto. Nagpatulong din kami sa kanya. Nagpaalam din kami.”</p><p>“With regards sa pamumulitika, wala po sa bokabularyo ng PAOCC iyan. Purely law enforcement operation po ang pananaw namin diyan,” he added.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>CEASE AND DESIST ORDER</strong></div><p>On Tuesday, June 2, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) canceled the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) issued to the Philippine Sanjia Steel Corporation after confirming the presence of radioactive materials and citing violations of environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act.</p><p>“Ang DENR ay nagpapatupad ng maraming environmental laws. Foremost, the Nuclear Wastes and Hazardous Wastes and Substances. Ito ay pinapatupad ng DENR na may technical assistance from the PNRI [Philippine Nuclear Research Institute],” DENR Assistant Secretary for Legal Affairs and Enforcement Atty. Norlito Eneran said in a press briefing in Cagayan de Oro City.</p><p>“May toxic and hazardous waste substances na kapag walang kaukulang permit from the DENR at kapag inimport nila sa Pilipinas, ito ay violation at may administrative and civil sanctions ang lumalabag sa mga batas na ito,” he added.</p><p>A cease and desist order was also issued against the company.</p><p>“Pinagbabayad natin sila ng P450,000 fines and penalties,” Eneran said. “Ito ay dahil sa regulasyon natin—administrative in nature po ito. Hindi pa kasama rito kung mapapatunayan na may environmental damage and degradation sa immediate vicinity ng warehouse and compound ng Philippine Sanjia Steel Corporation.&quot;</p>

<p>Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. brushed aside a report that he and his family had allegedly been barred from entering China and could face asset restrictions, saying he has no plans to visit and has no assets in the country.</p>

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. brushed aside a report that he and his family had allegedly been barred from entering China and could face asset restrictions, saying he has no plans to visit and has no assets in the country.

Teodoro shrugs off reported China entry ban, says he has no assets there

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Teodoro shrugs off reported China entry ban, says he has no assets there

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 03, 2026 05:40 PM PHT

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Philippine Sanjia Steel Corporation

China

entry ban

Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

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