‘PET CANDIDATE’ | Marcos’ meet with China ambassador sparks questions from public

October 21, 2021 , 04:00 PM

By Beatrice Puente

(October 21, 2021) – Presidential aspirant Bongbong Marcos Jr., the son of the late dictator, recently met with China’s ambassador to the Philippines at an event, drawing various reactions and concerns from the public.

Ambassador Huang Xilian expressed gratitude for the presence of Marcos during the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Chinese Embassy’s new photo wall, saying it was a “great honor.” Marcos’ wife Liza Araneta-Marcos, son Joseph Simon, and cousin Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez were also present at the said event.

“While we always cherish and honor old friends, we hope that more and more people from our two countries will be committed to deepening our partnership and cooperation, so as to bring more benefits to our two peoples and pass on our traditional friendship from generation to generation,” said Huang.

When you drink water, think of those who dug the well.

A great honor to have Bongbong Marcos with me at the…

Posted by Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian on Tuesday, October 19, 2021

Netizens immediately reacted to the meeting, with one Twitter user asking why the flag of the Philippines was placed behind Marcos when he’s not an official representative of the country.

Marcos, who’s seeking the presidency in the 2022 elections under Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, does not hold any public position.

Posted by Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian on Tuesday, October 19, 2021

Others floated the possibility that China might support and fund the late dictator’s namesake.

“Pinaglalaruan na lang tayo ng China. 2016 elections daming Chinese funded trolls. Napatunayan ito sa imbestigasyon ng FB. Tapos ngayon bet ng Chinese si BBM na isa pang corrupt. Matindi ang makinarya,” a Twitter user said.

china will fund bongbong's campaign as what they did with duterte's

— Chunchun-maru (@adletmeyer121) October 20, 2021

“Lest we forget that China did this same gesture when Rodrigo Duterte was still mulling over running for president. The Marcoses have always been cordial with the Communist Party of China, hence the likes of Bongbong Marcos and Imee Marcos prefer Chinese appeasement,” another netizen wrote.

DDS abandoning the Duterte brand, they know the ship is sinking.

No reason to rejoice, they’re simply moving their allegiance to mandaram-bongbong, a new source of income.

He has a huge war chest, employing acres of troll farms and PR firms. He is now China’s number one bet.

— SyLicoNgaAko 璃乎. リコ. りこ #LabanLeni #DapatSiLeni (@SyLicoNgaAko) October 20, 2021

Some pointed out that China has been looking to interfere in the political landscape of the Philippines.

“Hindi nakakatuwa ang interference ng China sa pulitika natin. Puro kalokohan at pananamantala na naman sa Pinas ang gusto, kaya sa anak ng diktador at corrupt na Marcos Jr. ang kapit,” said one netizen.

Last July, former Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) secretary Albert Del Rosario said some senior officials from China had boasted about influencing the country’s 2016 elections, catapulting Duterte to power. Del Rosario did not name his source but he said the information came from “a reliable international entity.”

But Duterte, who has kept a friendly attitude towards China, denied this during his final State of the Nation Address last July.

“I will never, never do that,” said Duterte. “Hindi na bale ako ‘di ma-presidente, ‘di ko talaga gagawin ‘yan. ‘Di ako tinulungan ng China.”

Duterte has refused to confront his counterpart, China President Xi Jinping, over the continued intrusions in the West Philippine Sea, saying he doesn’t want to go to war.

Maritime experts saw the administration’s reluctance as a heavy factor why China’s maritime militia and fishing vessels refuse to leave the country’s exclusive economic zone. Even the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, earlier this week, raised the alarm over the illegal fishing activities.

On Wednesday, DFA also protested the unlawful radio challenges issued by China while the country was conducting regular patrols in the area.

Despite the criticisms, Marcos supported Duterte’s moves and sentiments regarding the maritime dispute. He said the country should instead find “different levels” of dealing with China.

“‘Yung policy of engagement na ginagawa ng Duterte government, although it is criticized, it is the right way to go,” said Marcos last September. “I don’t think the Chinese want to go to war with us. Certainly, we don’t want to go to war with China.”

(PM)

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