Rep. Robert Ace Barbers. INQUIRER file photo / VINCENT F. NONATO
MANILA, Philippines — “No Sinophobia or racism” will transpire in efforts to investigate the influx of Chinese students in Cagayan province, where Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites are located, a lawmaker said on Sunday.
In a statement, Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Ace Barbers assured the public that “the Philippine government welcomes any foreigners, tourists or investors alike, to visit the country in all legal forms.”
READ: Senators sound alarm over Chinese students’ activities in Cagayan
“Alam mo, iyong mga nagsasabing Sinophobia at saka racism iyon, sila iyong may ganoong tendency. Tayo ay nagtatanong – national security iyong concern. Buti sana kung marites (gossipers) lang ito,” Barbers said.
(You know, those who mention Sinophobia and racism are the ones with the tendency to commit those things. We are just asking because it is a national security concern and not just based on gossip.)
“And because this is a national security issue, hindi masama na magduda tayo, hindi masama na magtanong tayo at hindi rin masama na imbestigahan natin iyon,” he added.
(Because this is a national security issue, it is not bad to question or investigate.)
Barbers issued the statement following mixed reactions from groups, particularly after civic leader Teresita Ang See described reports on the matter as “Sinophobia and racism.”
But the lawmaker pointed out the need of the Chinese community “to police their ranks amid illegal activities involving Chinese nationals.”
Aside from Barbers, Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos said there is a need to determine the exact number of Chinese nationals enrolled in Cagayan as various agencies reported different numbers.
Earlier in April, Cagayan 3rd District Rep. Joseph Lara and Cagayan 6th District Rep. Faustino “Inno” Dy revealed the alleged influx of Chinese students in colleges and universities in Tuguegarao amid China’s continued aggression in the West Philippine Sea.