China recently raised eyebrows across the Indo-Pacific by slapping unilateral sanctions on Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and his immediate family, citing his “erroneous remarks” against Beijing’s paramilitary activities in the South China Sea.

The response from Manila was swift and defiant. “That is truly what they [China] do to those who speak the truth against their deception,” Teodoro stated on June 12, pledging to continue his duty to uphold his nation “in the face of the wickedness they are committing here and even in our seas.”