Teodoro slams Chinese foreign ministry

MANILA, Philippines —  Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. slammed the spokesperson of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for issuing statements that he said insulted President Marcos and the Filipino people.

“It is unfortunate that the PRC (People’s Republic of China) Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson stooped to such low and gutter level talk – resorting to insulting our President and the Filipino nation, and further debasing herself, the Ministry and Party she represents in the process,” he said in a statement issued late last night.

The Chinese embassy in Manila earlier yesterday singled out Marcos as the only head of state to congratulate Taiwan’s president-elect Lai Ching-te among 182 countries which established diplomatic relations with China.

Furious over the President’s congratulatory message, China again lashed out, saying it sends “erroneous signals to Taiwan independence separatist forces.” The highly undiplomatic comments also warned the Philippines “not to play with fire” and advised Marcos to “read more” on China-Taiwan history.

“But then again, we should not at all be surprised – being a nation and people enjoying the privileges, rights and freedoms of a democratic society – that an agent of a Party and system of government incompatible with our way of life and who routinely spouts state-sanctioned propaganda and disinformation would go that far and that low,” Teodoro said.

The Department of National Defense chief added that such statements and actions are unfortunate “but I am, myself, unsurprised. The spokesperson’s statements were ‘on brand.’ We, and the world, should not expect more,” he stressed.

The Chinese embassy said the President’s remarks on Taiwan election are “at odds” with the one-China principle and contradict the statement of the Philippine government reaffirming its commitment to the one-China policy.

“We urge the Philippine side to earnestly abide by the one-China principle, stop the wrong words and deeds on Taiwan-related issues, prudently and properly handle the Taiwan-related issues,” the embassy said in a statement.

The embassy reiterated that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory and the Chinese