By Priam Nepomuceno
MANILA – Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Friday said the statement made by the top Chinese diplomat was a veiled threat for the Philippines.
Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan earlier said China could “easily win” if it wants to use force amid the ongoing territorial disputes between the two nations.
“But no, we’ll not use force. We love peace,” Jing told reporters at an event in Quezon City on Thursday.
Teodoro, in turn, said “meron talagang nilalaman ang mga statement na yan (His statement really carries another meaning).”
“At least natalupan. In the same statement, sinasabi niya, we want peace pagkatapos we can use force and you will lose. Banta ‘yun. ‘Yun ang tunay na laman ng statement na ‘yan. Tinatakot tayo (At least we were able to scrutinize it more closely. In the same statement, he is saying that we want peace but after that, he said, we can use force and you will lose. That is a threat. That is the real content of his statement),” he said in a radio interview.
“Kung matatakot tayo, (at) hindi natin tatayuan ‘yung statement na ‘yan, hindi na makabansa ‘yun (If we will get frightened and not stand against that statement, that would be unpatriotic).”
Teodoro lauded FIlipino netizens who came out in force in criticizing the statement of the Chinese diplomat through various social media platforms.
“Kung may kumampi pa dito eh halatang halata na na hindi makabansa ang intensyon (If some will take his side, their intentions are not for the country),” he added. (PNA)
