Philippines condemns “actions” against Filipinos in China

The Philippines strongly condemned “actions” taken against Filipino workers in China, the defense secretary said, implying the move was in retaliation for the arrest of Chinese nationals.

Manuel Mogato | August 14, 2026

MANILA — The Philippines strongly condemned “actions” taken against Filipino workers in China, the defense secretary said, implying the move was in retaliation for the arrest of Chinese nationals in the country.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro also defended the Philippines’ law enforcement actions against Chinese nationals who were involved in illegal and criminal activities. (Also read: Philippines says China’s sanctions against Teodoro are an ‘unfriendly act’)

In a statement, Teodoro was reacting to China’s crackdown against foreign workers, including at least 100 Filipinos.

“The action against 100 Filipinos is plain and simple extortion and blackmail,” Teodoro said. “We strongly condemn both the attempt by China to interfere in our law enforcement processes and the blatant blackmail against Filipinos.”

Teodoro said the action taken against the Chinese nationals was done based on search warrants issued by the proper courts.

“The individuals arrested by the authorities were the principals of these illegal enterprises,” he added.

Defending Filipino workers in China, Teodoro said the Filipinos workers would neither have the intent nor the capacity to commit violations of Chinese law, much less on the scale perpetuated by Chinese nationals here.

“The fact that the Chinese government is actively covering up for these individuals is the best evidence of their complicity in the nefarious acts of these people,” he added.

In a separate statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said they are coordinating with the Philippine embassy in Beijing as well as the Consulates-General to verify the “circumstances of the arrests, ascertain the exact number and status of those apprehended, ensure that due process is observed, and extend consular assistance as needed.”

The DFA said that they respect China’s sovereign right to enforce immigration laws in accordance with due process and established legal procedure.

“At the same time, we call on Chinese authorities to safeguard the welfare of the arrested Filipinos and to promptly notify our Foreign Service Posts of their arrest and detention, consistent with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and the 2013 Philippines-China Consular Agreement,” the statement read.

In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun announced that the Chinese immigration authorities had taken action against more than 100 Philippine nationals for illegally working or living in China.

Guo said the actions against foreign workers who illegally entered, lived, or worked in the country were carried out in accordance with Chinese law.

“Actions have been taken in accordance with the law against over 100 Philippine nationals for illegally working or living in China,” Guo said.

With added reports from Anna Mogato