# Philippine defence chief rejects China criticism, calls response a 'squid tactic'

https://mins.news/en/item/22864

- Reuters, 2026-08-15 09:05 UTC
- World
- Original: https://www.reuters.com/world/china/philippine-defence-chief-rejects-china-criticism-calls-response-squid-tactic-2026-08-15/?link_source=ta_bluesky_link&taid=6a802bc8325a7500012aaf23

> Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro rejected China’s accusation that he has “consistently attacked and smeared” Beijing, calling the remarks a “classic squid tactic” intended to divert attention from the issues at hand.

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