By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora
MANILA – Malacañang on Friday urged those behind the abandoned caskets bearing anti-China messages found in parts of Metro Manila, including near the Chinese Embassy, not to resort to threats and acts that could cause public alarm.
In a statement, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro echoed the Department of Foreign Affairs’ position that the stunt was “not helpful” to the country.
“Sa mga gumagawa ng mga ganitong bagay, hindi po kayo pinipigilan sa inyong freedom of expression. Pero, ang mga ganitong gawain ay hindi nakakatulong sa ating bansa (To those engaging in such activities, your freedom of expression is not being curtailed. However, these actions do not help our country),” she said.
“Kung kayo ay makabayan, makipagtulungan po kayo sa ating pamahalaan para matugunan ang inyong mga issues. Huwag na po kayong maging sanhi ng pangamba, pananakot at panggugulo (If you are patriotic, cooperate with the government to address your issues. Please stop causing fear, intimidation and unrest),” she added.
Castro said the Philippine National Police is investigating the incidents to identify those responsible. She also encouraged the public to immediately report any suspicious activity in their communities.
In a separate statement, the Chinese Embassy in Manila said it had requested the Philippine government to take all necessary measures to ensure the security of Chinese diplomatic and consular missions, institutions and personnel in the country.
“The Chinese Embassy is committed to ensuring that China-Philippines relations remain stable rather than strained, and that the peoples of our two countries grow closer rather than further apart,” it said.
“The noises spreading hatred or fueling confrontation will not shake our confidence in stabilizing and developing China-Philippines relations,” it added. (PNA)
