Malacañang says only criminals unwelcome after China warning vs ‘unstable’ PH

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‘Chinese citizens and businesses in the Philippines are faced with higher security risks,’ the Chinese embassy in Manila says in a ‘safety reminder’

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang Palace sought to downplay the Chinese embassy’s “safety reminder” to citizens travelling to the Philippines on Wednesday, April 2, by pointing out that “all are welcome [to the Philippines]… except, of course, those who commit crimes.” 

“Ang kanilang mga travel advisory is just a normal consular function of China. At we can assure China na hindi na po tayo nagta-target ng particular nationality  or particular national na para I-harass. Tandaan po natin, lahat po dito ay welcome, except po, of course kapag gumagawa po ng krimen. I-implement po natin kung ano po ang batas,” said Undersecretary Clarissa Castro in a briefing. 

(Their issuance of a travel advisory is just a normal consular function of China. And we can assure China that we do not target particular nationalities or a particular national to harass. Everyone is welcome in the Philippines, except those who want to commit crimes. We will implement what is in the law.) 

The day prior, the Chinese embassy in Manila issued a consular notice to its citizens in Chinese. Hours after Castro’s briefing, the embassy then made public an official English translation of its notice. 

In its notice, the Chinese embassy in Manila said: “Considering the recent unstable public security situation in the Philippines and growingly frequent harassment of Chinese citizens and businesses, witnessing more frequent occurrence of political assemblies, protests and demonstrations nationwide, Chinese citizens and businesses in the Philippines are faced with higher security risks.” 

It also reminded its citizens to “keep a close watch on local security situation and step up safety awareness and emergency preparedness,” “minimize non-essential outings and stay away from political gatherings or crowded venues,” and “remain vigilant against potential security traps and schemes” while “complying with local laws and regulations.” 

Castro, during the briefing, made no reference to the supposed “more frequent occurrence of political assemblies” or “growingly frequent harassment of Chinese citizens and businesses.” Instead, the Palace official connected the Chinese embassy’s “reminder” to the crackdown on Philippine offshore gaming operators or similar operations, which Castro noted involved “mostly Chinese nationals.?

“So, malamang po ay isa ito sa nagiging isyu po. Pero, muli ang DFA ay open po for discussion regarding this at i-assure natin muli ang China na wala po tayong tinatarget na particular national,” she added. 

(Maybe that’s one of the issues. But again, the Department of Foreign Affairs is open for discussion regarding this and we assure China that the Philippines does not target particular nationals.) 

In making reference to “political assemblies, protests and demonstrations nationwide,” the embassy was, most likely, referring to pocket gatherings or prayer rallies organized by former president Rodrigo Duterte to demand that he be returned to the Philippines. The former president is detained at the International Criminal Court in The Hague over a crimes against humanity case related to his bloody drug war. 

The Philippines’ 2025 midterm election campaign period, meanwhile, began in February 2025. This has meant sorties and political gatherings daily across the Philippines. 

The embassy did not specify by what it meant in speaking of “growingly frequent harassment of Chinese citizens and businesses,” although in the first quarter of 2025, the Philippines made public the arrest of Chinese nationals suspected to have conducted espionage operations in the country. 

China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun, in a briefing on April 2 in Beijing, also declined to provide specific information on the “harassment” that the embassy mentioned.

“Given the current conditions on travel safety in the Philippines, the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines issued a security alert. There is much relevant media coverage, which you may refer to,” said Guo. – Rappler.com

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