Teodoro Slams China's 'Squid Tactic,' Calls Threat Against All Filipinos 'Blackmail Beyond Doubt'

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. escalated his response to China's immigration crackdown on August 15, 2026, accusing the Chinese Foreign Ministry of a 'classic squid tactic — disinformation through avoidance' for deflecting his allegations about the Sanjia Steel case onto ordinary Filipino nationals in China. Teodoro said Beijing's warning that the Philippines would 'bear the brunt' of consequences was 'an indiscriminate threat to retaliate against all Filipinos, which is, plain and simple, extortion and blackmail beyond doubt!' He closed with 'Di tayo pasisiil!' ('We will not allow ourselves to be oppressed'). The remarks came days after Teodoro attended the 3rd Philippines-Australia Defense Ministers' Meeting in Darwin on August 7, where he and Australian Deputy PM Richard Marles condemned China's 'destabilizing and dangerous conduct' against Philippine vessels in the South China Sea.