Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILABULLETIN)

Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers has brushed off the claims of "Sinophobia" and racism in the proposed House probe on the influx of Chinese students in Cagayan province.

Instead, Barbers highlighted the main concern of the proposed investigation, which involved safeguarding the country’s security.

Proponents of the inquiry have pointed to the growing presence of Chinese students at Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites, especially amid persisting issues in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). The EDCA is a military deal between long-time allies the Philippines and the United States (US).

"Iyong mga nagsasabing Sinophobia at saka racism iyon, sila iyong may ganoong tendency. Tayo ay nagtatanong–national security iyong concern. Buti sana kung marites lang ito,” Barbers told a news forum on Saturday, April 27.

(Those who are claiming that there is Sinophobia and racism are the ones with that tendency. We are asking questions--the concern is about national security. It's not like this is mere gossip.)

"This is a national security issue. And because this is a national security issue, hindi masama na magduda tayo, hindi masama na magtanong tayo at hindi rin masama na imbestigahan natin iyon,” he added.

(There's nothing wrong with having doubts, asking questions, and investigating the matter.)

The veteran solon's remarks came after civic leader Teresita Ang See described as Sinophobia and racism the reports about the supposed increasing number of Chinese students in Cagayan.

But Barbers stood firm that there was nothing wrong with the prone and that the Chinese community in the Philippines needs to "police their ranks".

“Sabi ko nga kanina, welcome ang mga Chinese. Iyong na-raid na bahay sa Taguig at sa Multinational na kung saan may mga mataas na kalibre ng baril na nahuli, hindi po ba involved ang Chinese?” he said.

(Like what I said, the Chinese are welcome. As for the homes in the Taguig and in Multinational that were raided and yielded high-calibre firearms, weren't the Chinese involved there?)

“So, I would urge the Chinese community, the Filipino-Chinese community na kung maaari po sana (if you could), you [police] your ranks. We’re not anti-China dito,” added the Nacionalista Party (NP) stalwart.

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. echoed Barbers sentiments, saying all foreign nationals are welcome to visit the Philippines as long as they have legitimate purpose in the country.

“Maski anong lahi pa man iyan, maski Filipino nga eh, basta mali ang ginagawa mo, ang mali ay mali ganoon ka-simple lang iyon. Nagkataon lamang siguro na iyon ang lahi na iniimbestigahan,” Abalos said.

(Whatever nationality it is, even if it's Filipino, for as long as you did something wrong, then it remains an offense, it's that simple. It's probably a coincidence that we're investigating that nationality.)

He added there is a need to know the exact number of Chinese nationals enrolled in Cagayan as various agencies reported varying figures.