MANILA — Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said China’s sanctions against him and his family are a form of punishment for those who speak out against its actions.

“That is their right. That is truly what they do to those who speak the truth against their deception,” he said in a statement.

“Their own countrymen and the others under their control suffer far worse. I will just keep doing my duty and uphold our nation in the face of the wickedness they are committing here and even in our seas,” he added.

China has barred Teodoro and his immediate family from entering mainland China, as well as its special administrative regions Hong Kong and Macau. The sanctions also prohibit Chinese firms from conducting business with them.

In imposing the sanctions, China’s Foreign Ministry accused Teodoro of having “repeatedly made irresponsible remarks on China” which undermined Chinese interests and sabotaged China-Philippine relations.

Teodoro has been vocal about Chinese actions in the West Philippine Sea, consistently criticizing what he has described as illegal activities in both local and international forums.