SINGAPORE: Being unemployed is one thing. Being unemployed, lonely and worried about money is another.

One Reddit user recently found themselves facing all three at once and turned to others online for advice on how to get through it.

The user, who said they were actively looking for a job, asked others what they would do if they were in the same position.

Many of the responses focused on making the most of the time available rather than dwelling on what was missing.

For some, that meant getting out of the house.

One commenter suggested hiking, cycling or jogging in the park, adding that enjoying nature and spending time with family does not have to cost much.

“Go hiking, cycling, jogging in the park. Enjoy nature! Take your time and be present with aged family members. Just do the things that you like,” the commenter wrote.

Others took a more practical approach, encouraging the Redditor to focus on earning some income while continuing the search for a full-time role.

“Just make sure you have enough for basic needs. Consider volunteering if you have the energy,” one user suggested.

Another commenter said taking on part-time work could help both financially and mentally.

“Do everything in your power that you can do to earn money — take as many part-time jobs as you can. As you see the amount of money grow, your confidence will also start to grow,” the commenter wrote.

Not all the advice centred on work or money, however.

Some saw the period of unemployment as a chance to focus on personal growth instead.

One of the shortest replies in the discussion simply read: “Develop myself, not my job.”

This article (Unemployed, lonely and broke: Singaporeans share what helped them cope) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: One burnt-out employee says they are beginning to question whether their job is worth the constant stress after returning from the weekend to an inbox overflowing with “urgent” requests from colleagues.

The employee, who shared their frustrations on Reddit, said they had already stayed back in the office until 9 pm the previous Friday, trying to clear a massive backlog, only to log in again after the weekend and find yet another pile of work waiting for them.

“When I opened my email, it got flooded with urgent task after task,” the employee wrote, adding, “It just feels exhausting again since I opened my email today. I have been in this job for about 8 months, and I dread going to work every day.” 

“The workload is insane, the company culture is toxic, and there’s 0 flexibility given to me. There is no WFH, colleagues are all yes-men, and [I have] a toxic manager.”

The employee said they have been trying to push through for quite some time, repeatedly convincing themselves that “work is just work” and that things would eventually improve.

However, the situation appears to have worsened as work increasingly spills into weekends, with colleagues sending tasks during off days and clients calling outside working hours.

Now feeling completely burnt out, they turned to others online for advice and asked the question that had clearly been weighing on them for some time

“I just find myself mentally and physically drained. Should I just quit?” they wrote.

“If you want to quit, find a job first. The market is volatile.”

The post quickly drew responses from other Singaporeans, many of whom shared similar experiences working in high-pressure environments.

One Redditor, who said they had once been in the same situation, urged the employee to begin searching for a new role immediately.

“Start your job hunt now. Disregard any and all negatives; mental health is often under-appreciated. No point in daily torturing yourself, especially if you’re below your 40s; there’s still a long runway ahead. I’m in my 50s and honestly don’t care, just working towards my final 1/3 of working life… You will do better once you take the 1st step.”

Another commenter suggested a different approach and advised the employee to simply “quiet quit.”

“Just quiet quit. Weekends are for resting. These people know no boundaries in disturbing your off days. If they try to pinpoint your mistakes, make sure to keep all receipts to cover your ass. Don’t think it’s right to squeeze people dry like that.”

A third commenter shared that they had also resigned from a similarly toxic situation.

“I was in a similar situation as you, and I chose to leave on impulse while I was interviewing. It was really a leap of faith; I cried multiple times because I was anxious, and I really guilt-tripped myself because I had big-ticket items coming up (BTO, wedding). I think ultimately it depends on whether you have big-ticket items coming up and if you’re okay with losing that ‘leverage.’”

A fourth added, “Always use this as a guideline nowadays—if you want to quit, find a job first. The market is volatile.”

In other news, a Singaporean who graduated from a “well-known” university in the United Kingdom revealed online that despite sending out more than 100 job applications since December 2025, she is still unable to secure a full-time role.

In a post shared on a local forum on Friday (May 22), the graduate said she returned to Singapore believing her qualifications and experience would give her a decent shot at landing work.

Read more: UK graduate says she has sent over 100 job applications but still cannot land marketing role in Singapore

This article (‘There’s 0 flexibility’: Singapore worker opens up about burnout and workplace stress) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: An employer has shared her frustration and disappointment after her helper, who had only been working for the family for a month, allegedly took out a loan despite being told not to. 

Posting anonymously in the SINGAPORE TRANSFER (No Fees/SD), DIRECT HIRE & NEW HELPER Facebook group, the employer said she had made her expectations clear from the very beginning. According to her, she repeatedly reminded the helper not to disclose information about the family or their home to outsiders and strictly told her never to borrow money.

She claimed she had also assured the helper that if she was facing financial difficulties, she could approach her directly for help instead of turning to lenders.

Despite those warnings, the employer alleged that on April 23, the helper borrowed from a moneylender she found through TikTok.

“She borrowed S$200 from a licensed moneylender on TikTok, and by the 26th, she was already expected to repay S$300. This is especially concerning as her salary is only paid on the 29th, and she still has an outstanding loan with the agency.”

The employer also claimed she later discovered that the helper had been sharing private details about the household with family members back home.

“Our household is usually empty during the day as both my husband and I work, and the children are out. I even chose to work from the office most of the time to give her space to adjust to our routine,” she wrote.

“However, I later found out that she has been sharing daily details about our home with her husband, including photos of my children, and speaking negatively about me.”

The employer said she felt particularly hurt because she believed she had treated the helper well and tried to make her feel welcome.

“I treated her with kindness, bringing her out and buying her clothes and shoes, hoping she would feel comfortable and motivated. Instead, my family’s privacy has been violated, and now we are dealing with potential issues from moneylenders,” she said.

She added that the helper had fabricated stories to her husband, including falsely saying that she had been hospitalised.

“I am honestly confused as to why she would do this,” the employer said. “I feel deeply disappointed and disrespected. Trust and privacy are very important in a home. I hope helpers understand that they are here to work, and while being treated like family is a bonus, it should not be taken for granted or abused. As an employer, I feel at the losing end.”

“Terminate ASAP.”

In the comments section, some Singaporeans urged the employer not to pay off the helper’s debts.

One commenter wrote, “DO NOT, under any circumstances, pay her debts. You will receive harassment from the money sharks. Do not answer. You must file police reports. If you just return her to the agent, they will send her to another employer, and the cycle repeats. This helper must be blacklisted for life.”

Another commented, “You treated the helper too nice TOO EARLY. – You should have observed her first before being nice to her. Since it involves a loan shark, I suggest calling MOM and possibly sending her back to her country.”

Meanwhile, several others questioned how the employer found out about both the loan and the alleged sharing of household information.

Responding to the queries, the employer explained, “It started while I was doing PayNow for her at the bank. I saw money being transferred to her. I got concerned as I had given her in hand (not her pay but out of goodwill) S$100, so to see S$220 when her pay was due on the 29th (today; this happened yesterday), I questioned her about the source of this money. And I gave the phone to the agent to check where this money came from, as I sensed something was off.”

“Only through checking her phone did we find the messages from the loan sharks and threats — everything. While the agent was checking, we saw the texts. Anyway, the helper gave me 6 different stories before we caught the loan shark calling her via WhatsApp, and the threats haven’t stopped since last night.”

One user said, “Because of this type of helper, it makes the others rotten. Report to Agent MOM about her immediately before the loan shark comes to your home with interest. She needs to be under the MOM case.”

Another added, “This is just the beginning; it starts here, and then it escalates to bigger issues. Terminate ASAP.”

Employers are not responsible for their helpers’ debts

According to the Ministry of Manpower, domestic helpers are not allowed to borrow money from unlicensed moneylenders. Helpers caught doing so may be permanently barred from working in Singapore again.

The ministry also states that employers are not responsible for their helper’s debts. Those facing harassment or threats from licensed or unlicensed moneylenders are advised to contact the police immediately by calling 999 or the X-Ah Long hotline at 1800-924-5664.

Read also: Singaporeans weigh in on hawker centre first dates: ‘Sweating like mad’ isn’t romantic

This article (‘I treated her with kindness’: Employer shocked after maid allegedly went behind her back to borrow money) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: Singapore-based design firm The Afternaut Group was appointed by Arcc Spaces to design its newest co-working space at the Bank of Singapore Centre, 63 Market Street, set to open in July 2026.

It will occupy levels five, six, and seven of the Bank of Singapore Centre, covering about 25,782 square feet (sq ft) and accommodating more than 300 members.

In an announcement on Tuesday (June 2), the project was described as Singapore-headquartered Arcc Spaces’ “most design-forward project to date”. This marks the fifth collaboration between the two firms, including The Co. at Duxton and Arcc Spaces at One Marina Boulevard (OMB). 

The newest co-working space is centred on biophilia (love of life or nature) and the need for relief from screen-heavy, notification-dense workdays. The space is said to feature greenery both indoors and outdoors, a collection of unique experiences catering to different working modes, and nature-inspired elements designed to create a calming connection to nature.

Arcc Spaces CEO Justin Chen said, “Our work with The Afternaut Group has always been a genuine co-authorship and each project has evolved alongside how work itself has changed. In an age defined by AI and digital saturation, and coming out of years of remote work, people are seeking something different from their offices: real connection, presence, and a reason to commute. The Bank of Singapore Centre is designed precisely around that need.”

The Afternaut Group’s Design Principal, Gwen Tan, said, “Each project with Arcc Spaces has pushed us to find a different expression of how people connect to a workspace, from the soul and creativity of a shophouse, to the precision of a five-star hotel.”

She added that with the new project, they have decided to design inward, adding: “Spaces that slow you down, draw you into the materiality, and make the experience in an office well elevated. This is the type of exploration we find most meaningful, and the rendition of it highly anticipated.”

Earlier last month, The Edge Singapore initially reported that the co-working space would open in June, taking over the space formerly occupied by OCBC. /TISG

Read also: ‘Clean Singapore no more’: Uncle shares concern of irresponsible rubbish dumping in Geylang not because of property prices dropping but of dengue and rats

This article (Singapore-based design firm The Afternaut Group to design Bank of Singapore Centre co-working space) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: A man who dumped dismantled office furniture and partitions on Joo Yee Road last year has been fined S$8,000.
“
Last May 28, the National Environment Agency (NEA) confirmed that they received public feedback on July 24 last year about the illegal dumping of office items in the said area. Further investigations revealed that the waste came from renovation work at an office located on Genting Lane, as reported by 8world News. 

Moreover, the driver involved in this incident admitted to dumping the waste on the roadside last year, with convenience as his reasoning. This case was concluded last May 26, where the driver was found guilty and fined $8,000. 

Authorities are also encouraging the public to report any suspicious and illegal dumping incidents. They are making sure to have strict enforcement against people who are illegally dumping garbage around the city. 

“When reporting, please provide the date, time, and location of the incident, the registration number of the vehicle used to carry out the illegal disposal, as well as any supporting photos and video clips,” NEA declared.

Dumping trash is a crime 

The National Environment Agency claimed that illegal dumping is a serious crime because it not only pollutes the environment but also endangers the health and safety of the public. When caught, first-time offenders can face a maximum fine of $50,000, and/or 12 months in jail. Furthermore, repeat offenders can face a maximum fine of $100,000 and can have jail time for at least one month up to 12 months. 

Other related news 

In similar news related to health concerns of the public, there was a recent report where a food delivery driver spilt food, resulting in revealing how the delivery bag used to store the food was filthy. 

A netizen voiced out that they saw a food delivery rider’s bicycle overturned, and the delivery bag was extremely dirty. 

Read more about the news story here.

This article (Driver says he dumped office furniture by the roadside because it was ‘more convenient’, gets S$8,000 fine) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE, June 2 — Singapore and the United Kingdom (UK) inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to cooperate in nuclear safety regulation, including the exchange of information and expertise, and the training of scientific and technical personnel. 

Singapore National Environment Agency (NEA) said the agreement was signed with the UK’s Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) to support an overarching effort to build capabilities in nuclear safety and to study the feasibility of the safe deployment of nuclear energy in Singapore. 

NEA deputy chief executive officer Koh Li-Na said the collaboration will strengthen Singapore’s capabilities in radiation protection, nuclear safety, and assessment. 

“Through partnerships with well-established regulators like ONR, NEA will deepen its technical expertise to understand new reactor technologies and build the institutional capabilities needed to rigorously assess nuclear safety,” she said in a statement on Tuesday. 

According to NEA, this collaboration will also enhance its regulatory knowledge as Singapore continues to study the potential role of nuclear energy in its energy future. 

NEA has also been developing Singapore’s nuclear safety and regulatory capabilities through close partnerships with established regulators in Finland, France, and the United States, as well as Asean partners. — Bernama

SINGAPORE, June 10 — The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has warned members of the public about scammers posing as ICA officers or even as family members and friends to trick victims into transferring money, according to The Straits Times.

In an advisory on June 10, ICA said it has received multiple reports since January involving two main scam variants.

In the first, scammers pose as ICA officers through phone or video calls, often using the ICA crest as their profile picture or wearing uniforms during video calls to appear legitimate, the authority said.

“ICA would like to emphasise that these calls are not from ICA,” it reportedly said. 

In the second variant, scammers impersonate family members, friends or acquaintances, falsely claiming that the victim or their loved ones have been detained by ICA.

The authority said these scammers may also produce forged documents featuring the ICA crest or fake officer signatures to support their claims.

ICA stressed that its officers will never request bank login details, ask for transfers via bank accounts, or demand payments to release individuals allegedly detained.

Scams in Singapore have cost victims more than S$4 billion since 2019, with 37,308 cases reported in 2025 alone, resulting in losses of S$913.1 million.

The Straits Times reported that government impersonation scams more than doubled from 1,504 cases in 2024 to 3,363 in 2025, making it the fifth most common scam type last year.

Those seeking clarification can contact ICA via its official feedback form or call 6391-6100.

Members of the public who suspect they have been scammed are urged to lodge a police report immediately. For more information, they may also contact the ScamShield Helpline at 1799 or visit scamshield.gov.sg.

SINGAPORE: A Singaporean woman has sparked a lively discussion online after sharing that men have become a little too comfortable doing the bare minimum when it comes to dating.

Posting on the r/SingaporeRaw forum, she said that many of the men she has gone on dates with appear more than happy to leave all the planning and decision-making to her.

From choosing where to meet and what to eat to planning activities and keeping the conversation alive, she often finds herself doing all the heavy lifting while her date simply tags along for the ride.

“I don’t mind paying for myself on dates. In fact, I usually do,” she continued. “But what bothers me is when the guy doesn’t even make the slightest effort to plan anything. Like I’m expected to just decide everything. Where to go, what to eat, what to do… While he just shows up.”

She went on to share some of the more underwhelming dating experiences she has encountered.

“I’ve met guys whose idea of dating is literally just ‘come my house and watch Netflix,’ Then somehow the conversation starts, and it’s just dry replies, memes, or ‘Wyd’ at random hours.”

“One guy straight up told me relationships shouldn’t require effort, and it should just ‘flow naturally.’ Another said if I like him, I should just stop thinking so much and go with the vibe.”

After repeatedly running into similar situations, she decided to ask a question she felt was completely reasonable: “What exactly are you bringing to the relationship?”

The response, she said, wasn’t great. “Some got offended by the question. This isn’t a one-off experience either. I’ve met people like this from dating apps and even through mutual friends.”

“For context, I’m doing quite well for myself. Stable career, decent income, I can afford my own lifestyle, go on trips when I want, take care of my own stuff.”

Curious whether others were experiencing the same thing, she asked fellow Reddit users if this had become the norm in Singapore’s dating scene.

“Are more guys just not willing to put in effort anymore? Or am I somehow attracting the wrong crowd? Anyone else experienced this before? Or maybe I should just focus on myself and stop expecting much from dating for now?”

She added, “I don’t want to become cynical because I still believe there are plenty of good guys out there. But sometimes dating feels less like finding a partner and more like I’m carrying the whole interaction alone while the guy just follows along.”

“A lot of girls these days also give zero effort..”

In the comments, one user said she and her female friends have had many conversations about the state of dating in Singapore and found that many women share similar frustrations.

“I spoke to my girlies about it, and the majority of us are on the same page about Singapore dating scenes. And even if they put in effort, the 2nd date or late-night texts start heading somewhere completely different. Or even better, receiving an ‘I miss you’ message after the 3rd day of talking without meeting.”

Others, however, argued that this issue is not limited to either gender. One individual explained that the modern dating culture, particularly in the age of dating apps, has encouraged many people to put in less effort because there is always the possibility of finding someone new with a few swipes.

Another commented, “A lot of girls these days also give zero effort and don’t take initiatives in SG.”

A third added, “Guys do put in a lot of effort and try a lot. Especially in their early years of dating. They now know how to identify girls that are not worth the effort. Make yourself into someone worth the effort.”/TISG

In other news, a jobseeker was left shocked after what he thought was an interview for an admin position allegedly turned into a recruitment pitch for an insurance role and ended with the interviewer scolding him for not being “driven” enough.

Sharing his experience on the r/singaporejobs subreddit, the man said he had originally applied for an “admin and operations” executive position through JobStreet.

Read more: ‘Younger generations have no drive’: Interviewer lashes out after jobseeker rejects insurance role

This article (‘Why am I doing all the work?’: Singapore woman says too many men put minimal effort into dating) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE, June 4 — A 20‑year‑old Singaporean admitted in court that he posted a fake bomb threat on Instagram, triggering enhanced security checks that delayed three Scoot flights by more than an hour each.

Rykes Tan Zhi Kai, who was 19 at the time of the offence, pleaded guilty today to one count of communicating false information of a harmful thing, according to CNA.

He uploaded a photo of himself with a Scoot Boeing Dreamliner at Changi Airport in June 2025 and captioned it “Im [sic] about to bomb this plane,” a message he later described as a joke.

He also replied to a friend with the line “This is automated message. Tan Zhi Kai, Rykes have successfully bombed the plane and is unable to contact you from now onwards,” which he said was another joke meant to imply he had died.

Police received an anonymous tip about the Instagram Story at around 1am on June 8, 2025.

Security teams identified all Scoot Dreamliner flights scheduled to depart between 12.10am and 1.50am for screening.

Three flights — TR138 to Tianjin, TR186 to Qingdao and TR720 to Athens — underwent enhanced checks and eventually departed at about 3am.

Scoot incurred operational losses of about S$1,946 (RM6,903) as a result of the delays.

Tan had already boarded flight TR876 to Taipei with three companions around the time the police received the information.

He was arrested on June 11, 2025, when he returned to Singapore.

Tan later made full restitution to the airline.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Xu Sijia told the court that deterrence was necessary because Changi Airport was “a critical public infrastructure utilised by vast numbers of local and foreign commuters daily.”

The prosecution asked the court to call for both a probation suitability report and a reformative training suitability report.

Tan’s lawyer argued against calling for the reformative training report at this stage.

The judge decided to call for both reports before sentencing.

Tan will return to court for mitigation and sentencing at a later date.

The offence carries a maximum penalty of seven years’ jail, a fine of up to S$50,000, or both. 

SINGAPORE: A Ghanaian man sat down with a Singaporean woman to talk about why Singaporeans complain so much, when so many things in the city-state actually work.

Not that for Kojo Enoch, the content creator behind the YouTube channel Explore with Kojo, complaining in Singapore is necessarily a bad thing. On the contrary, he wondered if one of the secrets behind Singapore’s efficiency is its citizens’ refusal to take things lying down.

Kojo has been to Singapore many times and said that from what he’s seen, “Everything looks like it works perfectly here.”

Sabrina, the Singaporean woman he interviewed, acknowledged that things are really good for Singaporeans, with its high level of security and cleanliness, plus one of the most efficient public transport systems in the world. She acknowledged, however, that like all places, the city-state has its advantages and disadvantages, though as a whole, Singaporeans have a lot to be thankful for.

When Kojo asked Sabrina why Singaporeans complain a lot, she said that it has become part of the culture, admitting that even she begins to complain when the train is one minute late, “like it’s the end of the world.”

Kojo, who was struck by this, said, “When you say Singaporeans complain over the littlest thing, I want to believe that this might be a good thing in the sense that it keeps the authorities on their toes. 

But if the authorities or the leaders know that people are not going to complain, then they are going to relax and not do what they are supposed to do to lift up the nation.”

He added that in his home country, people do not hold leaders accountable, “so we take whatever they give us.”

“It basically means you guys will not tolerate anything other than the best,” he added, while Sabrina nodded.

As far as he has observed, most people in developing parts of the world don’t complain, and he added that he wished the people in Ghana would “complain over everything,” not out of ingratitude, but to bring about better standards of efficiency.

Sabrina added that the Singaporean government endeavours through surveys to get feedback from people regarding policies and projects, and Singaporeans are encouraged to give their honest opinions.

“We started from almost nothing. So for us to be able to achieve so much in the last 65 years, it’s an incredible feat,” she added. /TISG

Read also: Help, the taxi uncle peeed during our ride. He’s old, should I launch a complaint or just let it pass?

This article (‘If everything works, why does it still feel like it’s not enough?’ Foreigner puzzled by Singaporeans’ complaint culture) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: Singapore’s wage growth is expected to ease in 2026 as businesses take a more cautious stance amid growing geopolitical uncertainties and persistent inflationary pressures.

According to a report released by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on Thursday, Singapore’s focus remains on ensuring that wage increases are supported by productivity improvements while safeguarding jobs. The report showed that nominal wages for resident employees rose by 4.9 per cent in 2025, down from the 5.6 per cent increase recorded in 2024.

The moderation in wage growth comes as employers navigate a more challenging economic environment. Businesses are increasingly concerned about rising operating costs, particularly labour expenses, as global uncertainties continue to cloud the outlook.

A survey conducted by an industry group last month found that more than half of the companies polled were worried about labour costs amid an unpredictable global economy. At the same time, Singapore’s labour market has shown signs of softening, with the unemployment rate edging up to 2.1 per cent in the first quarter of the year, compared with 2 per cent in the previous quarter.

The latest data reflects broader concerns over the impact of geopolitical tensions and inflationary risks on business sentiment and hiring decisions.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has previously pledged support for workers facing increasingly rapid and unprecedented economic changes. The global environment has become more volatile due to factors such as ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence technologies, both of which are reshaping industries and labour markets.

These disruptions are already affecting employment worldwide. Technology giant Meta Platforms and German biotechnology company BioNTech have been among firms that have announced job cuts, highlighting the pressures faced by businesses as they adjust to changing economic conditions.

Singapore’s central bank has also warned of a softer labour market ahead. In April, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said labour demand is likely to remain subdued this year as companies adopt a more cautious approach.

The MAS noted that if economic growth weakens for a prolonged period, employers may scale back hiring plans, while layoffs could increase. Such developments could further weigh on wage growth as businesses seek to manage costs and preserve employment in an uncertain environment.

Despite the slower pace of wage increases, Singapore’s labour policies continue to emphasise balancing wage growth with productivity improvements, with the aim of ensuring sustainable income gains for workers while maintaining the competitiveness of businesses.

This article (Pay rises in Singapore expected to cool amid inflation and geopolitical risks) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

The Philippines defence minister was defiant on Friday after Beijing sanctioned him for what it termed “irresponsible remarks” as the two nations grapple over the disputed South China Sea.

Gilberto Teodoro as well as his spouse and child will be banned from entering China’s mainland, Hong Kong and Macau, an unnamed foreign ministry spokesperson said in an online statement on Thursday.

It added that “organisations and individuals in China” will not be allowed to “engage in any transaction, cooperation or other activities with him and his spouse and child”.

The two countries have in recent years regularly dealt with flare-ups in tensions over the disputed South China Sea.

Beijing claims the strategic waterway nearly in its entirety, despite an international ruling that said its assertions are baseless.

In a statement early Friday, Teodoro said he had been sanctioned for “speaking truth”.

“Their own countrymen and the others under their control suffer far worse,” he said. “I will just keep doing my duty and uphold our nation in the face of the wickedness they are committing here and even in our seas.”

Manila reacted to the sanctions late Thursday by saying that “the Philippines views it as an unfriendly act that further complicates the bilateral relations”.

China regularly deploys navy and coast guard vessels to bar the Philippines from important reefs and islands in the area.

The Chinese statement said Teodoro’s rhetoric “undermines China’s legitimate interests and sabotages China-Philippines relations”, without specifying to which remarks it referred.

At a summit in Singapore last month, Teodoro criticised Beijing’s activities in the disputed waters, saying Manila “will not sacrifice our territorial integrity and sovereignty”.

Asked last week about Teodoro’s remarks at the summit, Beijing’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said that he “is known to vilify China”.

“All he cares is selfish personal gains to the point that he would perform political theatrics even when people’s well-being is at stake,” Mao said.