MANILA – Malacañang denied that Chinese nationals are being targeted by the Philippine authorities, contrary to an advisory issued by the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines to their citizens recently.
According to Presidential Communications Office’s Undersecretary Claire Castro, Chinese nationals are very much welcome in the country unless they commit crimes.
“Lahat po dito ay welcome except kung gagawa ng masama. I-implement po natin ang ating batas,” Castro said in a media briefing at Malacañang Palace on Wednesday.
“Ang kanilang advisory is just a normal consular function of China at we can assure China na hindi tayo nagta-target ng particular nationality or particular national para i-harrass,” she added.
Castro also commented that the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines might have issued the advisory due to the government’s crackdown on the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO), which affected their citizens.
In an advisory posted on its website, the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines warned the Chinese citizens in the country over what it called as “unstable public security”.
The embassy claimed that Chinese citizens and businesses have been “frequently interrogated and harassed” by Philippine authorities, and security risks faced by Chinese nationals have also increased.
The embassy also said that Chinese citizens in the country and those planning to travel here must “strengthen security precautions and emergency preparedness” and to “reduce unnecessary outings”.
They are also advised to stay away from crowded places and political gatherings, and to abide by local laws and regulations.
The embassy told Chinese nationals to “beware of falling into security traps and snares” while Chinese tourists are asked to “conduct risk assessments and make prudent travel decisions”./PN
