MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines is working closely with other government agencies to come up with concrete steps to combat crimes against Chinese nationals in the country.
In a recent press conference, Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose expressed hopes that the Philippines will be able to convince China that it is now “taking necessary steps” to address this issue.
"Hopefully we are able to convince the Chinese government that we are dealing with the issue and hopefully we are able to lift the travel advisory at the soonest possible time," Jose added.
Last Friday, China warned its citizens against traveling to the Philippines after a Chinese teenager who worked in a family-run store was kidnapped.
Li Peizhi, 18, was seized by still unidentified gunmen in Kabasalan town in Zamboanga Sibugay province, reports said. The abductors also took with them P20,000 from the cash register.
Mayor George Cainglet said militants from the Abu Sayyaf, who kidnapped Australian Warren Richard Rodwell in 2011, may be the same group involved in this case.
So far, no ransom has been demanded from Li's family.
Travel advisory
In its advisory, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that it was worried over the reported plot that criminal groups planned to attack Chinese Embassy in Manila, which was confirmed by the Philippine National Police.
“Given that the safety situation in the Philippines is deteriorating, the consular service of the foreign ministry is asking Chinese nationals not to travel to the Philippines for the time being,” the warning read.
Jose, on the other hand, refused to comment on a Chinese editorial where it wrote that President Benigno Aquino III should issue an apology for the series of attacks on Chinese citizens in the country.
 |
| Photo credit: rappler.com |
"We share the views of the Palace. We don't comment on editorials," Jose said.
"I think what is more important for us to address is the travel advisory issued by China against the Philippines," he said, adding that the travel advisory would have an impact on the Philippine economy particularly on tourism and possible foreign investments.
"We have already assured the Chinese embassy that we are taking necessary precautions and measures to ensure the protection and safety of their embassy, for example, their personnel. I think we should be able to show concrete steps, concrete measures that we are taking to address their security concerns," he further said.
By: Pots de Leon, InterAksyon.com
0 comments: