China should expand its travel restrictions against Philippine officials if Beijing believes such measures can intimidate those defending the country’s sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea.
This was stressed by Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon as he challenged Beijing to impose additional sanctions on Filipino officials.
Ridon also dared Beijing to add more Filipino officials to its sanctions list, saying the restrictions imposed on former senator Francis Tolentino and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. had failed to deter Philippine officials from asserting the country’s maritime rights.
“Ang aming mensahe sa kanila: Sinong tinakot ninyo?” Ridon challenged.
The lawmaker’s remarks followed the diplomatic controversy involving Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan, whose statements that China could “easily win” a confrontation with the Philippines drew criticism from Philippine government officials and renewed calls for stronger diplomatic action.
China imposed sanctions against Tolentino in July 2025, barring the former senator from entering mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao after accusing him of engaging in conduct detrimental to China’s interests on China-related issues.
In June 2026, Beijing imposed similar restrictions against Teodoro and his spouse and child, prohibiting them from entering mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao. China also barred organizations and individuals in the country from conducting transactions, cooperating, or engaging in other activities with them.
“Pero pangalawa, hindi ho natin palalagpasin yung mga pagbabanta rin ng mga tauhan ng Embahada ng Tsina sa Pilipinas kung saan sinasabi nila na hindi raw nila tatanggapin sa kanilang bayan ang mga opisyal o tao, mga Pilipino, dahil dito sa tuloy-tuloy na banggaan sa pagitan ng Tsina at ng Pilipinas,” Ridon stressed.
The Department of Foreign Affairs described Beijing’s sanctions against Teodoro and his family as an “unfriendly act” that further complicated bilateral relations, saying such measures did not help build mutual trust or manage differences responsibly.
Tolentino had also advocated for Philippine maritime rights during his Senate tenure, including through legislation on the country’s maritime zones and archipelagic sea lanes.
The dispute has intensified because of continuing confrontations involving Chinese vessels and Philippine personnel, with Manila insisting that its maritime entitlements are supported by the 2016 arbitral ruling rejecting China’s expansive historic-rights claims.
“Hindi pa nangyayari, ginawa na ho ito laban kay Secretary Francis Tolentino, laban kay Secretary Gibo Teodoro. So kung gusto nilang gumawa ng dagdag pang listahan ng mga opisyal at tauhan na iba-ban nila sa Tsina, gawin na ho nila yun ngayon,” Ridon declared.
The lawmaker maintained that Beijing’s restrictions should be viewed in the context of its broader response to Philippine officials who challenge its position in the maritime dispute.
China has defended its sanctions as measures protecting its national interests, while the Philippine government has repeatedly emphasized the importance of respecting its sovereign rights under international law.
Ridon maintained that Filipino officials should continue defending the country’s maritime interests regardless of whether their statements result in additional restrictions from Beijing, particularly when the dispute concerns the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its maritime zones.