Palace: Gov't not targeting Chinese nationals in law enforcement

Malacañang said Wednesday that it is not targeting Chinese nationals in implementing the law, saying that the Philippines welcomes all nationalities.

''Ang kanilang mga travel advisory is just a normal consular function of China. At we can assure China na hindi na po tayo nagta-target ng particular nationality or particular national na para i-harass," Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said in a briefing.

(The travel advisory is just a normal consular function of China. We can assure China that we are not targeting any particular nationality or particular nation to harass.)

"Tandaan po natin, lahat po dito ay welcome, except po, of course kapag gumagawa po ng krimen. I-implement po natin kung ano po ang batas,'' she added.

(Let's remember that everyone here is welcome, except, of course, if there's a crime committed. We will implement the law.) 

Reports earlier said the Chinese Embassy in Manila had issued a travel advisory urging Chinese nationals in the country, as well as those planning to visit, to exercise heightened caution because of alleged “increasing security risks.”

The advisory further cited incidents of harassment and inspections targeting Chinese citizens and businesses.

Castro, meanwhile, said China could have been claiming this because of the Philippine regulations being enforced against POGO operations.

''Malamang po nasasabi po nila ito, dahil sa ating pagpapatupad dito sa POGO na dapat ay mawala na sa atin, at karamihan po dito ay mga Chinese nationals. So, malamang po ay isa ito sa nagiging isyu po,'' Castro said.

(Maybe they're saying this because of our regulations on POGO and most of those involved were Chinese nationals. Maybe this is the issue.)

Castro, meanwhile, said the Department of Foreign Affairs is open for discussion regarding the matter.

''Pero, muli ang DFA ay open po for discussion regarding this at i-assure natin muli ang China na wala po tayong tinatarget na particular national,'' she said.

(The DFA is open for discussion as regards the issue and we assure China that we are not targeting any particular national.)  —VAL, GMA Integrated News