BANGKOK: China sanctioned a former Filipino lawmaker Tuesday over perceived \u201canti-China\u201d positions, including his authorship of bills that marked out the Philippines\u2019 territorial claims in the disputed South China Sea.
\nFrancis Tolentino, who has just finished serving his term as majority leader of the Philippine Senate, is prohibited from entering China as well as the territories of Hong Kong and Macao, according to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
\n\u201cFor some time, some anti-China politicians in the Philippines have adopted a series of malicious words and deeds on issues related to China for their own selfish interests, which have harmed China\u2019s interests and undermined China-Philippines relations,\u201d said the statement. \u201cThe Chinese government is determined to defend its national sovereignty, security and development interests.\u201d
\nIn a statement on X Tuesday, Tolentino said he will \u201ccontinue to fight \u2014 for what rightfully belongs to our nation,\u201d adding the sanction was a badge of honor and that no foreign power could silence him.
\nTolentino authored two bills which marked out the Philippines\u2019 claims in the South China Sea. The two laws, called the Philippine Maritime Zones act, and a second one called the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes act, were signed into law last November. The laws reaffirmed the extent of the country\u2019s maritime territories in the South China Sea and right to resources from these areas.
\nThe laws drew quick condemnation and dismissal of their legitimacy from China, which claims virtually all of the South China Sea.
\n\u201cAny objections from China must be met with unwavering defense of our sovereign rights and adherence to lawful arbitration outcomes,\u201d said Tolentino at the time.
\nTolentino also accused China of planning to interfere in the mid-term elections in May in the Philippines, and had launched an investigation into alleged Chinese espionage when he was still a senator.
\nThe Philippines and China have been engaged in verbal and physical clashes over their claims in the offshore region.
\nConfrontations between Chinese and Philippine coast guard and naval forces in the disputed sea have become increasingly common in the past two years, with the Philippine side publicizing videos of Chinese boats firing water cannons.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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