Chinese embassy condemns staged photos of Chinese flag ‘sale’ at Luneta if..

MANILA, Philippines — The Chinese Embassy in Manila says it is condemning the staged photos of Chinese flags being sold at the Luneta Park if it were done “to undermine” relations between the Philippines and China.

In a statement posted on its Twitter account on Tuesday, the Chinese Embassy said the staged photos of Chinese flags being sold at Luneta caught their attention after these surfaced online over the weekend

We noticed the staged photos of selling Chinese flags, which has caught widespread attention. For this matter, if it was done with good intentions to celebrate China-PH Friendship Day, you are welcomed. However if it is done to undermine the China-PH relations, we condemn it! https://t.co/QOIB33HeyN

— ChineseEmbassyManila (@Chinaembmanila) June 11, 2019

“For this matter, if it was done with good intentions to celebrate China-PH Friendship Day, you are welcomed,” the embassy said.

“However if it is done to undermine the China-PH relations, we condemn it!” it added.

The Manila Police District (MDP) earlier said the identification of those “who maliciously ordered the display and selling of Chinese flags in an unauthorized place” is now underway.

READ: Manila Police looking for those behind ‘sale’ of Chinese flags at Luneta

Citing Section 34 of Republic Act 8491, Danao said that it is forbidden to display in public any foreign flag, except embassies and other diplomatic establishments, and in offices of international organization; and to use, display or be part of any advertisement or infomercial.

This comes after photos of vendors supposedly selling Chinese flags at the Luneta Park went viral on social media.

However, the National Parks Development Committee (NPDC) later clarified that the photos showing the alleged sale of the Chinese flags were staged.

Vendors interviewed by the NPDC said a man offered them P100 to act as if they were selling the flags.

‘Don’t fret’

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., meanwhile, advised the public not to fret over the photos of Chinese flags allegedly being sold in celebration of the Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day last June 9.

READ: Locsin: ‘Don’t fret’ over Chinese flags being sold at Luneta

“Don’t fret. They will be selling the US flag on Philippine-US Friendship Day as well,” Locsin said over Twitter.  (Editor: Mike U. Frialde)