MANILA, Philippines — Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua was only expressing his opinion when he said: ‘What if we also think that your overseas workers are also spying on us. What can you say about that?’
READ: Envoy to Panelo: What if China suspects OFWs of spying, too?
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said this Sunday when asked about Zhao’s remark in response to Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana’s statement that while unlikely, Chinese workers in Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogo) sites near military and police camps can shift their operations to spying.
READ: Chinese casinos near PH military camps worry DND
“Actually, opinion lang ni Ambassador Zhao yun siguro in response to the statement of the Secretary of National Defense, he was just expressing an opinion, and Secretary Lorenzana was also expressing an opinion,” Panelo said in an interview with Radyo Inquirer.
Panelo earlier revealed that he received the text message from Zhao, explaining that he was asked to relay the message to Lorenzana.
“Hindi naman sa akin directed yan e. Sabi lang sabihin ko kay Secretary Delfin. Hindi ko pa nasasabi,” Panelo said.
Meanwhile, Lorenzana said the Chinese ambassador’s remark was “preposterous,” adding that Pogo workers in the Philippines are not comparable to OFWs in China with legitimate visas. /je
READ: ‘Preposterous’: Lorenzana hits China envoy’s remark on OFWs ‘spying’