According to a statement released on August 16 by the WeChat public account "Chinese Embassy in the Philippines," Ji Lingpeng, the spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in the Philippines, responded to the remarks made by Defense Minister Teodoro.
Question: Filipino Defense Minister Teodoro issued a statement and gave an interview, criticizing the statements made by China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson as false information. He continued to claim that Chinese workers at San Ji Steel Plant are engaged in illegal activities in the Philippines, and stated that Chinese embassy officials are involved in Philippine law enforcement actions. What is the comment from the Chinese embassy?
Response: There's no basis for Toto Doroh's remarks; they distort facts and turn black and white.
Firstly, in May this year, Teodoro led his troops to the Sanjia Steel Plant to arrest Chinese workers who were unarmed. Is he a defense minister or a police chief? Why intervene in law enforcement actions? What is his purpose? Is this part of his job responsibilities?
Secondly, if the factory violates environmental protection laws and other regulations, why are the workers arrested, not the relevant officials? Why are only Chinese workers arrested, while all Filipino workers are released on the spot? And why were Chinese workers transported to Manila in military aircraft for detention?
Third, according to Chinese workers, all the workers in the factory wore normal work clothing during their regular shifts and never wore protective gear. On the day of the raid, a group of law enforcement officers forced three Chinese workers to wear protective gear and take photos for publicity. Afterwards, they made a big deal out of claiming that Chinese workers wear protective gear daily, while Filipino workers do not. Is this not an act of slander and incrimination?
Fourthly, the 70 Chinese workers imprisoned are each confined in a 5-square-meter cell, with no possibility of sleeping. The Filipino side did not notify the Chinese side or arrange consular visits in accordance with the bilateral agreement. Is this considered a normal law enforcement action?
Fifthly, the Chinese embassy immediately provided the Filipino side with all the necessary information regarding the passports and visas of all Chinese workers. Why did the Filipino side neither respond nor release them? Why were they released only 32 days later? What is the purpose of the Filipino side in this whole situation?
Sixthly, Teodoro said that 70 Chinese workers were caught without passports. He believes that the factory was involved in human trafficking. Is this considered human trafficking according to Philippine law? Do all foreign workers working in Philippine factories have to carry their passports with them every day?
Seventh, does the Chief of Staff decide whether foreign citizens are involved in criminal activities? The Philippine judicial authorities made it clear on May 28th that there is insufficient evidence against 70 Chinese workers, and they should be released. Teodoro continues to smear them for engaging in illegal activities in the Philippines. Does he respect the judiciary?
The Chinese side fully respects the judicial sovereignty of the Philippines and the actions of relevant law enforcement agencies in handling cases according to the law. If foreign citizens commit crimes in the Philippines, they should be arrested and punished if there is solid evidence. The same applies to foreign citizens who commit crimes in China. However, we firmly oppose selective, discriminatory, campaign-style, or politically motivated law enforcement against Chinese citizens.
Teodoro said that the Chinese embassy is involved in the Philippine law enforcement procedures. Anyone with a basic understanding of diplomacy knows that the most fundamental duty of a foreign embassy is to protect the safety and legal rights of its citizens from infringement. No matter why a Chinese citizen is arrested, the Chinese embassy has the right and responsibility to conduct consular visits and protection, and to communicate and negotiate with the relevant law enforcement agencies, ensuring that Chinese citizens are treated with humanity and fairness.
Teodoro has been conducting various anti-China activities recently. His real goal is to deteriorate and disrupt China-Filipina relations, putting the Philippines at the forefront of confrontation with China. This will lead to tensions and conflicts between the two countries, serving his undisclosed political interests. If his schemes succeed, it will harm the fundamental interests of both countries and their peoples.
