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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Escalating rhetoric' of pro-China personalities worries administration solon

'Escalating rhetoric' of pro-China personalities worries administration solon

Published Apr 16, 2024 06:58 am

At A Glance

  • House Assistant Majority Leader Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong has expressed concern over what he described as the "escalating rhetoric of pro-China personalities" like Davao del Norte 1st district Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez. 

alejandro-luengo-jL0tMFYOdBM-unsplash.jpg(Unsplash)

House Assistant Majority Leader Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong has expressed concern over what he described as the "escalating rhetoric of pro-China personalities" like Davao del Norte 1st district Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez.

Adiong was referring to Alvarez's controversial remarks during a "peace rally" in Tagum City, Davao del Norte last Sunday.

The rally was held on the heels of the historic trilateral summit in Washington, DC that was attended by President Marcos, United States (US) President Joe Biden, and Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

"I was watching their peace rally in Tagum City. Their statements were getting harsh. They've become aggressive since the United States, Japan, and the Philippines entered into a tripartite agreement," Adiong said in a statement Tuesday, April 16.

Alvarez, a close ally of former president Rodrigo Duterte and a former House Speaker, has been criticizing the Marcos administration for allegedly catering to the interests of the US.

He believes that such policy bring the Philippines closer to war with China, particularly over the WPS issue.

It was during the Tagum rally that Alvarez told the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to withdraw support from Marcos so that he could be forced to step down from Malacañang. Alvarez drew flak from his House colleagues over this statement.

"It is unbecoming of a public official to go to an extent of inducing any government institution from faithfully serving a duly-elected government simply because one holds a different appreciation on foreign policy direction," Adiong said.

The administration congressman noted the potential legal implications of such provocative statements, and said that they could be interpreted as bordering on sedition.

ALSO READ:

https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/31/alvarez-s-resignation-call-for-pbbm-shows-he-is-pro-china-says-adiong

"Such statement which effectuate potential threats to government stability and may therefore cause social mayhem maybe legally interpreted as bordering to sedition and could be well attract legal repercussions," he warned Alvarez, a fellow Mindanaoan.

President Marcos earlier said that the cooperation agreement reached during the three-nation summit would reshape the dynamics in the WPS and the broader region.

Speaking at a press conference in Washington after the meeting, Marcos sought to reassure China that the agreement was not directed against them.

The Chief Executive clarified that the summit was not aimed at any specific country but rather focused on enhancing economic and security ties among Manila, Washington, and Tokyo.

Related Tags

Pantaleon Alvarez zia alonto adiong Pro-China
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