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/File

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)

Shangri-La Dialogue

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1782914309189AFP__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/File"/>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/File</div>MANILA — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Wednesday brushed aside repeated criticisms from Chinese officials over his remarks against China’s actions, saying the public can judge for itself who is telling the truth.“Taumbayan na ang maghuhusga eh. Wala naman akong sinabi na hindi totoo sa lahat ng sinasabi ko. Hindi ko problema kung walang naniniwala sa kanila. Problema nila iyon,” Teodoro told reporters on the sidelines of the Philippine Air Force’s 79th founding anniversary in Pasay City.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/29/-no-rift-between-ph-china-despite-beijing-s-sanctions-rhetoric-vs-teodoro-palace-1533">READ: &#x27;No rift&#x27; between PH, China despite Beijing&#x27;s sanctions, rhetoric vs Teodoro: Palace</a></div>His remarks came after the Chinese Embassy in Manila again reiterated statements from Chinese government officials criticizing the defense chief over his comments on Beijing’s actions.Teodoro said the issue is not with the Chinese people but with the Chinese Communist Party and the Chinese government.“Palagay ko, tumingin sila sa salamin. Hindi naman Chinese ang kalaban natin dito na tao. Communist Party ng China, tsaka gobyerno nila na nang-aagaw ng teritoryo at bumabaliktad ng istorya,” he said.He accused Beijing of resorting to bluster instead of addressing the issues being raised by the Philippines.“Hindi nila madaan sa issue; dinadaan nila sa alburoto. Hanggang doon lang eh. Pag tama ang sinasabi natin, tama naman at accepted ng buong mundo, mahirap na nilang kontrahin iyon,” Teodoro said.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Wednesday brushed aside repeated criticisms from Chinese officials over his remarks against China’s actions, saying the public can judge for itself who is telling the truth.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Wednesday brushed aside repeated criticisms from Chinese officials over his remarks against China’s actions, saying the public can judge for itself who is telling the truth.

Teodoro shrugs off Chinese criticism, says Beijing should ‘look in the mirror’

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Teodoro shrugs off Chinese criticism, says Beijing should ‘look in the mirror’

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 01, 2026 10:00 PM PHT

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China

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