Barbers: Filipinos must unite vs China’s ‘meddling’ in PH-US deal

MANILA, Philippines — Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers assailed China for “meddling” in the Philippine government’s plans to acquire military armaments from the United States, urging his fellow lawmakers in the House of Representatives and the Senate to denounce China’s remarks.

In a statement, Barbers maintained that China and its leaders have no business meddling in what the Philippine government does or wants to do in its effort to upgrade and accelerate its military capability.

“The Filipino people, including senators and congressmen, should rally and voice out their support to Secretary Gibo Teodoro for standing up against the whims and caprices of the China government and its leaders,” said Barbers.

“Sobra nang pakikialam ang ginagawa ng China sa ating bansa at dapat magkaisa at sama-sama tayong lahat na Filipino na pigilin at tuligsain ang kanilang mga makasariling layunin sa loob at labas ng bansa, partikular na sa West Philippine Sea,” he added.

(China is interfering in our country too much, and all of us Filipinos must unite and together stop and denounce their selfish goals both within and outside the country, particularly in the West Philippine Sea.)

The Chinese embassy in the Philippines had criticized Defense chief Gilberto Teodoro Jr., accusing him of “smearing” and “maliciously attacking” the Communist Party of China (CPC) and saying these run counter to President Bongbong Marcos Jr.’s instruction to deescalate maritime tensions.

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The embassy’s condemnation came after Teodoro maintained that the Philippines has a right to allow the deployment of the United States missile system in the country despite China’s continuous opposition to it.

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READ: PH has right to allow US missile system despite China’s opposition – DND 

Barbers, for his part, emphasized that China’s warning that Manila’s planned weapons upgrade could intensify geopolitical confrontations and trigger a regional arms race can be labeled as “political bullsh*t,” considering that China is actively planning for world domination by significantly upgrading its military hardware and technology.

“Anong pakialam ng CPC kung magdala ang US ng Typhoon Missile system sa Pilipinas para sa joint US-PH military exercises. Nakikialam ba tayo pag nagho-hold and China ng military exercises sa Russia at mga ally nila na bansa? Hindi, ‘di ba?” Barbers asked.

(What business is it of the CPC if the US brings the Typhoon Missile system to the Philippines for joint US-PH military exercises? Do we interfere when China holds military exercises with Russia and their allied countries? No, right?)