GOVERNMENT officials urged the Filipino-Chinese community in the Philippines to police their ranks amid the influx of Chinese students in Cagayan province where Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites are located.
Surigao del Norte 2nd District Representative Ace Barbers told reporters in a news forum in Quezon City on Saturday there is no Sinophobia or racism in the efforts to conduct an investigation on the presence of Chinese students in EDCA sites especially amid West Philippine Sea (WPS) issues.
Barbers said the Philippine government welcomes any foreigners, tourists or investors alike, to visit the country in all legal forms.
“Alam mo, iyong mga nagsasabong Sinophobia at saka racism iyon, sila iyong may ganoong tendency. Tayo ay nagtatanong – national security iyong concern. Buti sana kung marites lang ito,” Barbers said, referring to a colloquial term for gossipers.
“Buti sana kung iyong pinag-uusapan dito ay iyong kapitbahay lang natin. But this is a national security issue. And because this is a national security issue, hindi masama na magduda tayo, hindi masama na magtanong tayo at hindi rin masama na imbestigahan natin iyon,” he added.
The statement of Barbers came after civic leader Teresita Ang See described as Sinophobia and racism the reports about the apparent influx of Chinese students in Cagayan.
Barbers, however, stood firm that the Chinese community likewise needs to police their ranks amid illegal activities involving Chinese nationals.
“Sabi ko nga kanina, welcome ang mga Chinese. Iyong na-raid na bahay sa Taguig at sa Multinational na kung saan may mga mataas na kalibre ng baril na nahuli, hindi po ba involved ang Chinese?” he said.
“So, I would urge the Chinese community, the Filipino-Chinese community na kung maaari po sana, you your ranks. We’re not anti-China dito,” he added.
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. echoed Barbers sentiments, saying all foreign nationals are welcome to visit the Philippines as long as they have legitimate purpose in the country.
“Maski anong lahi pa man iyan, maski Filipino nga eh, basta mali ang ginagawa mo, ang mali ay mali ganoon ka-simple lang iyon. Nagkataon lamang siguro na iyon ang lahi na iniimbestigahan,” Abalos said.
He added there is a need to know the exact figure about the number of Chinese nationals enrolled in Cagayan as various agencies reported different numbers.
