Filipinos not hostile toward Chinese in PH—Palace

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang on Wednesday refused to comment on a China paper’s editorial asking President Benigno Aquino III for a public apology but said there is no hostility toward Chinese nationals in the country.

“Are we Filipinos (focusing,) targeting (the) Chinese? Of course not,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during a press briefing.

On Tuesday, Global Times published an editorial assailing the country’s “deteriorating security situation” and the government’s alleged inability to maintain peace and order. It also mentioned crimes committed against the Chinese.

But Lacierda said there has been no discrimination or hostility against Filipino-Chinese or Chinese nationals staying in the Philippines.

He added that it was unfair for the paper to put a political slant on the issue when it is an “ordinary law enforcement issue.”

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