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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Labor groups slam Chinese envoy's 'tit-for-tat' threat on illegal workers

Labor groups slam Chinese envoy's 'tit-for-tat' threat on illegal workers

Published Jun 30, 2020 04:04 pm
By Analou De Vera Labor groups expressed concern over Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua's statement that Beijing is poised for a 'tit for tat' if Chinese workers are illegally deported in the country, which they said was tantamount to “threatening” the Philippine government. Chinese Ambassador to Manila Zhao Jianhua (ROBINSON NIÑAL/Presidential Photo /Manila Bulletin File Photo) Chinese Ambassador to Manila Zhao Jianhua (ROBINSON NIÑAL / PRESIDENTIAL FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) "The ambassador is completely wrong to issue threats to harm our own citizens working in their country. His arrogance manifests the attitude of the Chinese government towards our country," said Sentro secretary-general Josua Mata. During a press briefing last Tuesday, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said Zhao told him that "if this government (Philippines) will just deport Chinese not in accordance with law, then we will also do the same, that's tit for tat... And then he added; 'Of course I know the Philippine government will not do that.” The statement of Zhao appears to be blackmailing the Philippine government, said Atty. Sonny Matula, president of Federation of Free Workers. "This is undiplomatic. It is bullying and bordering on interference on the affairs of a sovereign state implementing its laws on employment of foreign nationals as they apply to all foreign workers, and not just Chinese nationals," said Matula. Matula suggested that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) "should file a diplomatic protest." "We have high respects for the people of China but we cannot tolerate their representative for posturing and speaking as if the Philippines is a province of an imperial China," he said. Matula said that President Duterte should display his "tough stance" regarding Zhao's statement. "It would be better if the President displayed a tough stance on issues involving our sovereignty such as this one. We should not surrender our flag," said Matula. "The Chinese Ambassador must explain his remarks while the President makes sure that employers, recruiters and government executives responsible for bringing in workers through illegal channels are jailed and prosecuted," he added.
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