MANILA, Philippines – July 5, 2025 — Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said he would not be bothered if China barred him from entering its territories, following the recent travel ban imposed on former Senator Francis Tolentino due to his stance on the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Speaking to reporters at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, Teodoro stated plainly:
“Wala naman akong pakialam kung gawin nila sa akin ’yun.”
(“I won’t mind if they do that to me.”)
He emphasized that it is within the rights of any sovereign nation to allow or deny entry to foreign individuals without needing to provide a reason.
“Nasa sa kanila naman ’yun, ’di ba?”
(“It is up to them, right?”) he added.
China Bars Former Senator Over Maritime Advocacy
China recently barred Francis Tolentino, former chairperson of the Senate Special Committee on Maritime and Admiralty Zones, from entering its territories. The Chinese government cited Tolentino’s “egregious conduct on China-related issues” as the reason for the ban.
Tolentino authored key legislative measures aimed at reinforcing the Philippines’ sovereignty over its maritime domains. These efforts culminated in the passage of two landmark laws: the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, both signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on November 8, 2024.
Strengthening the Philippines’ Maritime Rights
The Philippine Maritime Zones Act formally defines the country’s internal waters, archipelagic waters, territorial sea (12 nautical miles), contiguous zone (24 nautical miles), exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and continental shelf (up to 200 nautical miles). These provisions clearly outline where the Philippines can exercise sovereign rights and jurisdiction, particularly crucial in the resource-rich WPS.
The Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, meanwhile, establishes designated maritime routes for international navigation through Philippine waters. These include:
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Sea Lane I: Philippine Sea – Balintang Channel – West Philippine Sea
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Sea Lane II: Celebes Sea – Sibutu Passage – Sulu Sea – Cuyo East Pass – Mindoro Strait – WPS
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Sea Lane III: Celebes Sea – Basilan Strait – Sulu Sea – Nasubata Channel – Balabac Strait – WPS
National Interest Above All
The passage of these laws marks a significant step in asserting the country’s maritime rights amid rising tensions with China over overlapping territorial claims in the South China Sea. Despite the possibility of diplomatic repercussions, officials like Teodoro remain steadfast in upholding the Philippines’ sovereignty.
As maritime security continues to be a national priority, the Philippine government maintains that international law — particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) — must guide all actions in the disputed waters.
