Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. speaks to reporters on the sidelines of the 2026 Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Friday, May 29, 2026. — Screengrab from Department of National Defense video
MANILA, Philippines — The Marcos-created National Maritime Council (NMC) has pushed back against the sanctions imposed by China on Defense Secretary Gilberto ”Gibo” Teodoro Jr. and his family.
In a statement dated June 13 but released only on Sunday, the NMC expressed its support for Teodoro, saying he “has consistently carried out his duties in accordance with law and established Philippine policy, and in pursuit of the country’s legitimate national interests.”
For the NMC, Teodoro’s statements and actions concerning the West Philippine Sea only reflect the country’s commitment “to uphold its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction under the Philippine Constitution, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), and the 2016 Arbitral Award.”
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