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

Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers has denied claims that he is "sinophobic". 

This, despite his strong opinions against Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) whose employees in the country are dominated by Chinese nationals. 

Sinophobia is defined as the fear, intense dislike or hatred of China and anything or anybody from China. 

Barbers, chairman of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, said in a recent press briefing that he wasn't sinophobic. 

He said the only thing he dislikes are the Chinese nationals who bring illegal drugs and conduct other illicit activities in the Philippines. The POGOs have allegedly become a venue for these illegal activities. 

Incidentally, the House of Representatives has been investigating certain Chinese nationals over their alleged links to drugs and possible narco-politics. 

"Uulitin ko, yung aming investigation sa House is not sinophobic (I repeat, the House investigation is not sinophobic). Congress is not sinophobic. We welcome legit businessmen. We welcome legit Chinese tourists. We welcome all Chinese. Chinese na legal ang gawain dito sa ating bansa (The Chinese who have legal activities in our country)," Barbers said. 

The Mindanaoan, however, issued a challenge to the members of the Filipino-Chinese community and associations to denounce the illegal activities of Chinese mainlanders in the Philippines, as well as Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). 

Barbers noted that they've been conspicuously silent on these issues. 

"Kayo nga dapat, dahil Filipino-Chinese kayo, magsalita kayo tungkol dyan sa kalokohang ginagawa ng mga mainlander Chinese dito sa atin. Diba? Eh, bakit parang tahimik?" he said. 

(You are Filipino-Chinese, you should be talking against the shenanigans that the mainlander Chinese are doing here in our country. Right? But why are you silent?) 

"Dapat panahon na magsalita kayo ngayon. Labanan niyo yung mga Chinamen na nagdadala ng basura dito sa ating bansa. Yung nang-aagaw ng ating [WPS]. Dapat nga, magkokomentaryo sila dyan," underscored Barbers. 

(Now is the time for you to speak up. Fight the Chinamen that are bringing garbage to our country. You should be commenting on those who trying to steal the WPS.)