Gibo hits 'gutter level talk' after China spox urges Marcos to 'read more'

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has taken exception to the remarks of a spokesperson for China's foreign affairs ministry who suggested President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. read more about the Taiwan issue.

Addressing the issue of Marcos congratulating Taiwan's president-elect Lai Ching-te, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning said Marcos' remarks violated the One-China policy and were "a serious breach of the political commitments by the Philippines."

"We suggest that President Marcos read more books to properly understand the ins and outs of the Taiwan issue, so as to draw the right conclusions," Mao said on Tuesday.

In a statement on Wednesday, Teodoro said Mao "stooped to such low and gutter level talk—resorting to insulting our President and the Filipino nation, and further debasing herself, the Ministry, and Party she represents in the process."

"But then again, we should not at all be surprised—being a nation and people enjoying the privileges, rights, and freedoms of a democratic society—that an agent of a Party and system of government incompatible with our way of life and who routinely spouts State-sanctioned propaganda and disinformation would go that far and that low," Teodoro said.

"It is unfortunate, but I am, myself, unsurprised. The spokesperson's statements were 'on brand.' We, and the world, should not expect more," he added.

Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian has declined to comment on Teodoro's statement, but referred to the Taiwan issue as part of China's "internal affairs" that "represent the core interests of our country, with extremely high sensitivity."

Marcos on Monday congratulated Lai Ching-te on his election as Taiwan's next president.

The President's congratulatory message came a day after the Department of Foreign Affairs said the Philippines was committed to its one-China police when asked to comment on the conduct of the Taiwanese elections.

"On behalf of the Filipino people, I congratulate President-elect Lai Ching-te on his election as Taiwan's next President," Marcos said in a post on X.

"We look forward to close collaboration, strengthening mutual interests, fostering peace, and ensuring prosperity for our peoples in the years ahead," he added.

Responding to a request on Sunday for comment on Taiwan's elections, DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza said, "The Philippines is committed to its One-China policy."

"The Department of Foreign Affairs reaffirms the principles contained in the Joint Communique of the Philippines and the People's Republic of China signed by President Ferdinand E. Marcos and Premier Zhou Enlai on June 9, 1975," Daza said.

"The Philippines is committed to its One-China Policy. The Joint Communique states that 'the two governments agree to settle all disputes by peaceful means... without resorting to the use of threat or force'," she added.

In deference to the One-China Policy, Manila does not have diplomatic ties with Taiwan, a democratic self-ruling island  which has been separated from the Beijing government since 1949, but still claimed by China as part of its territory.

The Philippines, however, maintains a de-facto embassy in Taiwan, called the Manila Economic and Cultural Office or MECO.

Taiwan hosts 115,000 Filipinos, mostly working in factories.

In Manila, the spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy said, "China strongly opposes such remarks, and has made immediate and solemn démarches to the Philippines from both Beijing and Manila." 

"There is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China," the spokesperson said.

"Following the elections in Taiwan, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement reaffirming the Philippines’ commitment to the one-China policy." 

"Relevant remarks by the Philippine leader are at odds with the one-China Principle and contradict the statement of the Philippine government, sending out erroneous signals to 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces," the spokesperson said.

"We urge the Philippine side to earnestly abide by the one-China principle, stop the wrong words and deeds on Taiwan-related issues, prudently and properly handle the Taiwan-related issues."

On X, Lai thanked Marcos for the message.

"Thank you, President @bongbongmarcos for your congratulations. I deeply value the enduring friendship between #Taiwan & the #Philippines," Lai said in a tweet.

"I look forward to enhancing our economic and people-to-people ties while championing democracy, peace & prosperity in the region," he added.

Three diplomats said there the the DFA was not informed beforehand as regards Marcos' congratulatory message for the Taiwanese president-elect.

One diplomat  said the DFA was caught by surprise while another said the post on X was "very damaging."  —NB/BM, GMA Integrated News