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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Barbers tells China: Don't treat PH as your subject

Barbers tells China: Don't treat PH as your subject

Published Jan 18, 2024 06:53 am

At A Glance

  • Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace.Barbers slammed China on Thursday, Jan. 18, after it had condemned President Marcos' congratulatory remarks to the newly-elected president of Taiwan.

FB_IMG_1678943024629.jpgSurigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers (Facebook)

Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace.Barbers slammed China on Thursday, Jan. 18, after it had condemned President Marcos’ congratulatory remarks to the newly-elected president of Taiwan.

“We are not your subjects and our country is not a vassal state that owes allegiance to China. Do not treat us like one, not even in your wildest dreams and imagination,” Barbers said in a short but strongly-worded statement.

On Tuesday, China seemingly lectured Marcos to “read more books” so he could “properly understand the ins and outs of the Taiwan issue”.

Marcos’ congratulatory remarks were said to be in violation of the one-China principle.

“Hindi pa man eh umaarte na kayo na may-ari ng Pilipinas pati mga bibig namin gusto nyo na din i-water cannon. Ni katiting na soberenya wala kayo dito tapos pati karapatan namin maghayag ng saloobin pipigilan ninyo?” the ranking solon said.

(You act as if you own the Philippines, and you even want to water cannon our mouths. You don't have the slightest bit of sovereignty here, and you want to stop even our right to express ourselves?)

Barbers is referring to recent aggressive tactics of China in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), which include Chinese coast guards’ blasting of water cannons on Philippine vessels that were in a humanitarian and support mission.

“Did we empower you in any way to draft an IRR (implementing rules and regulations) on our Constitution that gives you the right to amend our Bill of Rights?” Barbers, chairman of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs further asked.

“Make no mistake about it, we will fight to keep our freedom, independence and our rights as a sovereign nation. Whoever threatens our free existence, we shall fight against and resist to the last man”, the veteran lawmaker stressed.

Related Tags

Taiwan Robert Ace Barbers PRESIDENT FERDINAND BONGBONG MARCOS Peoples Republic of China
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