THE Philippines’ relationship with China and the defense of its sovereignty and territorial interests should become a “central issue” in the national discussion leading to the 2028 elections, trial spokesperson Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur said Saturday.
“I think itong issue po ng China vis-à-vis ang ating interest, territorial interest, dapat ’to central, maging central po ito sa diskusyon kung sino po man ’yung may balak na maging leader ng ating bansa,” Alonto Adiong said during the Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City.
He stressed that he was raising the issue “without even sounding political about it” as the country approaches 2028.
Alonto Adiong said those seeking the country’s highest offices should have clear positions on protecting Philippine sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“It should be a central issue for those who are, you know, offering their services and offering themselves to the Filipino public,” he said.
“Dahil unang-una, how can you be a commander in chief, a head of the government and head of state when you are all as well serving the interest of your adversary over certain areas in the West Philippine Sea?” he added.
Alonto Adiong said the issue should not be equated with hostility toward Chinese people, noting the Philippines’ economic relationship with China.
“We don’t want to generate, you know, anti-Chinese sentiments, kasi hindi po ’yun tama. Kasi we also have existing bilateral economic ties with China,” Alonto Adiong said.
“But when it comes to a specific issue concerning sovereignty, territorial integrity, I think dapat klaro po ’yun sa magiging susunod na mga leader natin,” he added.
Alonto Adiong also cited the case of former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo as an example of national security concerns that surfaced during congressional investigations.
Investigations of the House Quad Committee during the previous Congress examined illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators and their alleged links to crimes including human trafficking, money laundering and other illicit activities.
Guo, also identified as Guo Hua Ping, was subsequently found by a Manila court to be a Chinese citizen, with the court ruling that she was ineligible to serve as Bamban mayor.
She was convicted in November 2025 of qualified human trafficking in connection with the illegal POGO hub in Bamban and sentenced to reclusion perpetua.
Alonto Adiong said the Guo case demonstrated that the national security debate goes beyond territorial disputes.
“Kung titingnan po natin, hindi lang po actually ’yung ating sovereignty ang napag-uusapan,” he said.
“But if you go back to the testimonies that we have gathered during the QuadCom, it’s sad to say that na-infiltrate po tayo sa loob,” he added.
Alonto Adiong referred to documents and allegations that Guo had acted as a Chinese spy, but no final judicial finding has established that she engaged in espionage for China.
The allegations surfaced during congressional investigations and were based in part on information attributed to individuals claiming knowledge of Chinese intelligence operations. Philippine officials had called for the claims to be independently verified.
Alonto Adiong said the experience underscores the importance of clearly defining the country’s interests in its dealings with China.
“Hindi lang po tayo naka-elect ng isang Chinese national,” he said, “pero hindi po ma-erode ang ating ekonomiya by advancing illicit and illegal activities of some Chinese elements.”
For Alonto Adiong, the experience should inform the national conversation as the Philippines approaches its next presidential election.
“Dapat klaro po ’yon sa magiging susunod na mga leader natin para hindi na po natin mabalikan ’yung mga naunang experiences po natin,” he said.
metrosundaily
