Breaking news: Philippines’ Tolentino banned from entering Macau, HK and mainland China

Staff Reporter

China has imposed a travel ban on former Philippine Senator Francis Tolentino – barring him from entering mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau – amid rising tensions between Beijing and Manila, Xinhua reported.

Announced this morning (Tuesday) by China’s Foreign Ministry, the sanction accuses Tolentino of “improper behavior” on issues concerning China.

While no specific actions were cited, the ministry pointed to a pattern of “malicious” conduct by what it called “anti-China politicians in the Philippines,” accusing them of undermining Chinese interests and harming bilateral relations, Bloomberg said in a dispatch today.

Tolentino – who failed to secure reelection in May – recently led Senate hearings into alleged Chinese surveillance operations in the Philippines.

According to Bloomberg, the former senator also authored a maritime zones law that Beijing strongly opposed, viewing it as a challenge to its expansive South China Sea claims.

Though bans of this kind are rare, the inclusion of Macau – a Chinese special administrative region with deep ties to the Philippines through labor and tourism – highlights Beijing’s hardening stance.

Filipino nationals account for a significant portion of Macau’s workforce and leisure travelers.