[Rappler’s Best] Sanctions - Rappler

Already have Rappler+? Sign in to listen to groundbreaking journalism.

This is AI-generated. Read the article for full context. Report any errors.

On Thursday, June 11, the eve of the Philippines’ Independence Day, Beijing announced it had sanctioned Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., banning him, his wife, and his son from entering China and from transacting with Chinese organizations and individuals. 

It’s unprecedented, not only because Teodoro is the alter ego of the President, but also because he is at the forefront of crafting the country’s security framework in a new world order. 

It’s an escalation, because it happened more than a week after Philippine authorities said they had spotted a floating platform inside Bajo de Masinloc (or Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea) that appeared to have an antenna and was carrying personnel on it. 

Now why would China go to the extent of sanctioning the defense chief? Watch Bea Cupin’s Rappler Talk with the defense chief here.

Teodoro’s speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore (which China’s defense minister again boycotted) may have been the last trigger, as he squarely dismissed China’s good faith in negotiations. “For the PRC, therefore, in the Philippine experience, negotiations are therefore not a path to conflict resolution but a means of gaining advantage.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs described the recent measure against Teodoro as an “unfriendly act that further complicates bilateral relations.” 

Indeed, there are sanctions that are uncalled for, but there are also those that beg to be made with urgency. 

It will be a week to this day, Monday, June 15, since 18-year-old Rene Baterbonia and 21-year-old Divine Adili drowned in the treacherous waters of Aurora province, which sits on the country’s eastern seaboard — constantly battered by strong winds and fierce seas. 

They were training with their Ateneo teammates in a university-sanctioned activity, yet their deaths have yet to merit any act of command responsibility from those who sent them there.

Lest we forget: a powerful tremor shook many parts of Mindanao on June 8, razing buildings to the ground, breaking bridges and roads, and causing dim prospects for students now without schools. For the Mindanao State University in General Santos City, it’s back to zero. Here’s how to help affected communities.

Delfin Dioquino profiles Rene Baterbonia, who “needed no extra motivation as he saw basketball as a way to give his family a better life.” Rob Andrew Dongiapon introduces us to Divine Adili from Nigeria, a diligent student who loved SpongeBob. 

Dwight de Leon raises a school of thought that challenges the 16-vote threshold for convicting impeached Vice President Sara Duterte. Here’s the list of private prosecutors in the trial. 

Lance Spencer Yu and Trisha Concepcion sit down with the Aetas of Kalangitan, the resettlement community that they have been living in since the eruption of Mount Pinatubo 35 years ago. 

Christa Escudero and Aidan Bernales decode Taylor Swift’s lyrics as she was inducted to the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Rappler Talk: Dr. Tricia Robredo on improving Naga City’s healthcare

Rappler’s Best is a weekly Rappler+ exclusive newsletter of our top picks delivered straight to your inbox every Monday. Visit rappler.com/newsletters to subscribe.

The views expressed by the writer are his/her own and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Rappler.