China-Filipino arrests blackmail dispute

China's immigration authorities took action against over 100 Philippine nationals for allegedly working or living illegally in China, prompting Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro to accuse China of 'extortion and blackmail' and interference in Philippine law enforcement. Teodoro rejected any comparison between these arrests and Philippine operations against Chinese nationals, which he said were based on court-issued warrants and targeted principals of illegal enterprises. The dispute follows Philippine raids on Chinese-run steel plants, including Sanjia Steel in Misamis Oriental, where authorities arrested Chinese workers and detected radioactive materials, leading to a shutdown order. The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs is verifying the arrests and coordinating with its embassy in Beijing, while China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun defended the actions as lawful immigration enforcement. The incident reflects broader tensions over the treatment of nationals and alleged espionage cases.