(INQUIRER FILES)
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Embassy in Beijing admits receiving “hate emails” from unnamed Chinese citizens amid heightened tension in the West Philippine Sea.
Speaking at the Commission on Appointments’ meeting on the ad interim appointments of 16 foreign affairs officials on Wednesday, Philippine Embassy in Beijing Consul General Arnel Talisayon said there have been no reports of Filipinos being harassed in China due to the West Philippine Sea issue.
He, however, confirmed that the Philippine embassy in Beijing has received unwanted emails from unknown Chinese individuals.
“Wala po kaming natatanggap mula sa Pilipino ng harassment dahil sa China. But, of course, officially dito po sa Philippine embassy, we would also sometimes get hate emails from unnamed Chinese citizens. But for the Filipino community, so far, wala naman po kaming naririnig na balita,” said Talisayon.
(We have not received reports that Filipinos have been harassed because of China. But, of course, officially here in the embassy, we would sometimes get hate emails from unnamed Chinese citizens. But for the Filipino community, so far, we have not received any reports.)
Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa urged the Philippine embassy to ensure the safety of Filipinos.
“Please continue monitoring para maaalagaan natin ang mga kababayan natin dyan, just in case [umabot] sa sukdulan itong problema natin with China. Sana hanggang hate emails lang, hindi aabot sa pisikal talaga na sakitan at yan ay hindi natin pinag dasal,” said dela Rosa.
(Please continue monitoring the situation for us to ensure the safety of Filipinos there, just in case this problem with China escalates. I hope it’s just hate emails and it wouldn’t reach physical attacks. We are not praying for that.)
China’s aggression is borne out of a sweeping claim over most of the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, which, however, has long been dismissed by an arbitral tribunal.
In 2013, the Philippines challenged China’s assertions before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands.
It ruled overwhelmingly in favor of the Philippines in 2016. Despite this ruling, Chinese maritime assets continue to swarm and assert its presence in the territory.