BANGKOK (AP) — A former Filipino lawmaker, Francis Tolentino, has been sanctioned by China due to his perceived "anti-China" stances, particularly in relation to his authorship of legislation that outlines the Philippines' territorial claims in the contentious South China Sea. This sanction was confirmed on Tuesday by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which announced that Tolentino is prohibited from entering China, as well as Hong Kong and Macao.

In a statement, the Chinese government accused certain Filipino politicians, including Tolentino, of engaging in "malicious" actions that harm China's interests and undermine bilateral relations. They emphasized their determination to protect China's national sovereignty, security, and developmental interests.

In response to the sanction, Tolentino expressed his commitment to continue fighting for the Philippines' territorial rights, stating that the punishment serves as a "badge of honor" and that no foreign entity could silence him. He notably authored two critical pieces of legislation: the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, both of which were signed into law in November 2022. These laws reinforce the Philippines' maritime territory claims in the South China Sea and assert its right to resources in these regions.

China quickly rejected the legitimacy of these laws, claiming nearly all of the South China Sea as its territory. Tolentino stated at the time that any objections from China would be met with a firm defense of the Philippines' sovereign rights and a commitment to lawful arbitration outcomes.

Additionally, Tolentino has previously accused China of attempting to interfere in the Philippines' mid-term elections scheduled for May, as well as launching an investigation into Chinese espionage during his tenure in the Senate. Tensions between China and the Philippines have been escalating, with increased verbal and physical confrontations over territorial claims in the region.

In the past two years, encounters between Chinese and Philippine coast guard and naval forces in the South China Sea have grown more frequent, with the Philippine authorities releasing footage showing Chinese vessels using water cannons against their own. These incidents highlight the ongoing disputes and confrontations that characterize the territorial tensions between the two nations.

AP reporter Jim Gomez contributed from Manila.