Teodoro blasts China’s ‘squid tactic’ over Sanjia Steel case
MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. lashed out again at China’s Foreign Ministry yesterday, accusing it of using a “squid tactic” to evade questions over Chinese nationals found working for Sanjia Steel in Misamis Oriental last May and threatening retaliation against Filipinos.
According to Teodoro, the Chinese Foreign Ministry continues to evade the crucial issues surrounding the matter by going after Filipino nationals in China allegedly for violating immigration laws.
“Were these individuals involved in illegal activities? The plain and simple answer is yes – unless Chinese officials consider the regurgitation of substandard, radioactively tainted steel, the destruction of the environment by dumping untreated, polluted water into rivers and the release of untreated toxic fumes to be legitimate practices,” he said.
The secretary noted that such is supported by indisputable and legally admissible evidence gathered by law enforcement authorities through valid search warrants issued by Philippine courts.
“Did embassy officials actively intervene in local law enforcement processes and threaten retaliation against Filipinos? The answer, as revealed in a Senate hearing, is yes,” Teodoro said.
He stressed that the latest Chinese Foreign Ministry statement against him is a classic squid tactic utilizing disinformation through avoidance.
“The Filipino people will not fall for this. Threatening that they will ‘bear the brunt’ is an indiscriminate threat to retaliate against all Filipinos, which is, plain and simple, extortion and blackmail beyond doubt. We will not be intimidated!” Teodoro declared.
Not backing down
Meanwhile, despite the threat of retaliation from China, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission said it is not backing down and will continue its crackdown on Chinese-run steel manufacturing companies allegedly selling substandard and hazardous products in the country.
PAOCC executive director Benjamin Acorda Jr. said there would be no letup in the campaign even after a Chinese embassy official warned him of possible retaliation against Filipinos in China following the arrest of 69 Chinese nationals during a raid on a facility of Philippine Sanjia Steel Corp. in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental on May 15.
The PAOCC had received reports that the firm was selling hazardous products and imposing unfair labor practices on workers.
Acorda and National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag also discussed the raid on Davao Might Steel Corp. in Barangay Ilang, which is suspected of producing substandard steel products. — Emmanuel Tupas
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