Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in this file photo on September 27, 2023 | PHOTO: PCO
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had expressed his doubt of China’s friendship to Ambassador Huang Xilian, according to Executive Secretary (ES) Lucas Bersamin on Thursday.
Bersamin recounted Marcos summoning Huang following the Chinese Coast Guard pointed a military-grade laser at the Philippine Coast Guard back in February. The ES said that Marcos typically did not lose his temper but he witnessed the President’s meeting with the ambassador.
“I was part of that meeting. He summoned that ambassador, and that ambassador was there, mouthing an official party line. But he said, ‘I thought, I thought the Philippines was the friend of China,’” Bersamin said in a mix of English and Filipino on “Tune in Kay Tuning.”
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Marcos also said that his talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping did not manifest among the lower ranks, said Bersamin.
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“What we agreed in China with your President, did not go down to the lowest levels,” said Bersamin.
China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea had been escalating in recent months. Apart from the laser attack, Chinese vessels had damaged multiple reefs in the West Philippine Sea.