Gibo Teodoro takes swipe at China official for 'gutter level talk' vs. Marcos
Department of National Defense Sec. Gibo Teodoro took a swipe at China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning for criticizing President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. after congratulating Taiwan’s president-elect.
In a statement on Jan. 18, Teodoro said Ning “stooped to such low and gutter level talk.” Ning said Marcos “seriously violated the political commitments made by the Philippines to China and rudely interfered in China’s internal affairs” for congratulating Lai Ching-te.
She also told Marcos to “read more books to properly understand the ins and outs of the Taiwan issue.”
China claims Taiwan as its territory, but the island considers itself as de facto independent.
Teodoro called out Ning for “insulting our president and the Filipino nation, and further debasing herself, the Ministry, and Party she represents in the process.”
“But then again, we should not at all be surprised,” Teodoro said of Ning, “that an agent of a Party and system of government incompatible with our way of life and who routinely spouts State-sanctioned propaganda and disinformation would go that far and that low.”
“It is unfortunate, but I am, myself, unsurprised,” the secretary said. “The Spokesperson’s statements were ‘on brand.’”
“We, and the world, should not expect more,” he added.
On X, Marcos told Ching-te he’s looking forward to “close collaboration, strengthening mutual interests, fostering peace, and ensuring prosperity for our peoples in the years ahead.”
On behalf of the Filipino people, I congratulate President-elect Lai Ching-te on his election as Taiwan's next President.
— Bongbong Marcos (@bongbongmarcos) January 15, 2024
We look forward to close collaboration, strengthening mutual interests, fostering peace, and ensuring prosperity for our peoples in the years ahead.
After his congratulatory message, Beijing summoned Philippine Ambassador to China Jaime Florcruz for an explanation.