China hits back, slams Gibo’s ‘squid tactics’ mark

MANILA, Philippines — In a continuing word war, the Chinese embassy has accused Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. of using squid tactics, a term earlier used by the latter to criticize Beijing over arrested Chinese nationals in the country.

Teodoro, on Thursday, accused the Chinese embassy of acting as a public relations firm for Philippine offshore gaming operator-linked Chinese businessman Tony Yang, the purported owner of Sanjia Steel Corp. in Misamis Oriental, which was raided by operatives.

“Instead of addressing the legitimate concerns and questions we raised, Secretary Teodoro hurled some baseless and sensational allegations against the Chinese embassy. A textbook example of squid tactics. When the good secretary can’t win or even continue the arguments, he simply attempts to divert attention or change the subject,” embassy spokesman Ji Lingpeng said in a statement yesterday.

The Chinese embassy questioned whether Teodoro respects the rule of law and the decision of the Department of Justice (DOJ), which dismissed the charges against Chinese workers of the raided manufacturing plant.

In response, Teodoro accused the Chinese embassy of lawyering for Yang.

“Today, the Chinese embassy is even lecturing us on Philippine law. This is prohibited under the Constitution and the rules of the Supreme Court, as only members of the IBP (Integrated Bar of the Philippines) are allowed to render legal advice. The Chinese embassy is not only Tony Yang’s PR, but also his lawyer,” he wrote in his Facebook page yesterday.

Last week, Teodoro accused the Chinese embassy of using squid tactics to evade the truth that the Chinese nationals were violating Philippine laws.

“Covering up illegal activities is a serious accusation that must be dealt with in accordance with the law and backed by solid evidence. We dare the secretary to come up with the evidence to back up his absurd accusation. PR firm for Tony Yang? No one at the Chinese embassy even knows him,” the embassy fired back yesterday.

The embassy noted that it “is mandated to ensure that innocent Chinese workers are not wrongly implicated or framed. We would remind Secretary Teodoro once again that the Philippine judicial authorities have already issued clear resolutions on the case involving the 70 Chinese workers of Sanjia Steel.”