MANILA, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro rejected on Saturday China's accusation that he has "consistently attacked and smeared" Beijing, branding the remarks as a "classic squid tactic" aimed at avoiding the issues at hand.
Teodoro was responding to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun, who on Friday said Teodoro had previously led efforts by Philippine authorities to apprehend Chinese citizens who, Beijing said, were legally working in the Philippines.
"This individual has consistently attacked and smeared China," Guo told reporters, referring to Teodoro. "What he is damaging is not only China-Philippines bilateral relations, but also the interests of the Philippine state and its people."
Teodoro, in a statement, defended the May law-enforcement operation at a steel facility in Misamis Oriental that resulted in the arrest of Chinese nationals, saying it was lawful and supported by evidence gathered through court-issued search warrants.
He cited what he said were violations involving the production of substandard, radioactively tainted steel, the dumping of polluted water, and the release of toxic emissions.
He also accused Chinese embassy officials of intervening in Philippine law-enforcement processes and threatening retaliation against Filipinos, saying a Senate hearing had revealed such actions.
"The latest Chinese Foreign Ministry statement against me is a classic squid tactic - disinformation through avoidance," Teodoro said.
The dispute follows China's confirmation on August 10 that its immigration authorities had taken action against more than 100 Philippine nationals for illegally working or living in China. Beijing said the operations were lawful and that immigration officials acted in a "standard and civil manner" while protecting the rights of those involved.
Teodoro, in an August 13 statement, condemned China's action against the Filipino nationals, describing it as "plain and simple extortion and blackmail."
The latest exchange continues a deterioration in ties between Teodoro and Beijing. China imposed sanctions on him in June after he described China as a "severe threat" to the Philippines territorially and politically, prompting Teodoro to respond by calling China "wicked."
(Reporting by Karen Lema; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)
