Manila, Aug. 26 -- Think-tank Stratbase Institute on Wednesday scored attempts made by "foreign interests", aimed to weaken the Philippine government's enforcement actions against Chinese-linked steel manufacturing facilities accused of violating Philippine laws.

Stratbase Institute president Victor Andres Manhit, in a statement, expressed concern over reported threats to arrest Filipinos in China if the Chinese workers detained during the raids were not released.

"We have seen how simply speaking out against violations of our country's sovereignty could impact anybody, even our own Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro," Manhit said.

He was referring to the sanctions imposed by the Chinese government against the Defense Secretary last J...