The Federation of Philippine Industries, Inc. (FPI) lauded Defense Secretary Gilberto ‘Gibo’ Teodoro, Jr. for his statesmanlike yet tough demeanor when supposed Chinese “journalists” recently tried to heckle him during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
In an interview, FPI chairman Jesus Arranza said it is about time a Filipino official stands up to Chinese bullying in full view of other Asian leaders and the rest of the world.
Arranza lamented how China has become too bold in exploiting the Philippines—not only in terms of annexing its territory, but even more so, damaging its economy.
“Gibo did it right. He told them to their faces that they are not recognized by UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea). This is the first time I saw something like that in front of international media. Pinahiya niya sila [The Chinese were humiliated],” the business leader told Manila Standard.
Arranza pointed out how China continues to flood the Philippine market with cheap but substandard goods that have proven ruinous to the local manufacturing sector.
He said even as China continues to harass Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea, substandard Chinese car batteries and other products are still being smuggled into the local market, potentially destroying Filipino businesses and taking away Filipino jobs.
“We have to keep watch. It is not only our territory that is in danger. Once Trump’s tariffs take full effect, China will look for other economies to dump their substandard goods,” Arranza noted.
“That poses a bigger threat to the Philippines’ national security. It is not only our military and coast guard that should be strengthened, but the regulatory bodies that control our importations as well,” he added.
