MANILA, Philippines – Nakikiisa ang Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) kay Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. matapos i-sanction ng China at pinagbawalan itong makapasok at ang kanyang pamilya sa China.
Sa isang forum nitong Sabado, Hunyo 13, dinipensahan ni AFP spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Navy Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad si Teodoro, at sinabing ang mga pahayag nito ay pawang paggigiit lamang ng karapatan at interes ng Pilipinas.
“The AFP stands with absolute solidarity behind our Secretary of National Defense. Ang ginagawa niya is simply to expose the truth. ‘Yong katotohanan ay masakit sa Partido Komunista ng Tsina,” sinabi ni Trinidad.
Ipinunto niya rin ang pahayag ni Teodoro sa Shangri-La Dialogue sa Singapore at iba pang international fora na ang mga ito ay hindi iresponsable at bagkus ay eksaktong representasyon ng international law, 2016 Arbitral Award, at sovereign rights ng mga Filipino.
“These sanctions are a transparent attempt at political intimidation, meant to silence those who expose coercive and illegal actions in our exclusive economic zone,” aniya.
Idinagdag pa ni Trinidad na hindi sila magpapaapekto sa foreign pressure, legal maneuvering o personal na pagtarget sa kahit na sinong lider ng bansa.
“We will continue our routine maritime and aerial patrols, protect our fishermen, and defend our sovereignty and every inch of Philippine sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea,” aniya.
Sa hiwalay na pahayag, pinuri naman ng AFP sa Teodoro sa pagbubulgar ng mga iligal na aktibidad, espionage-related threats, at iba pang aksyon na nakakaapekto sa seguridad at national interes ng bansa.
“The AFP views the sanctions not merely as actions directed against a Philippine government official and his family, but as an attempt to undermine the legitimate exercise of our nation’s sovereign rights and the principled defense of Philippine national interests.” RNT/JGC
