Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 17) – Filipinos in Taiwan are not worried over tensions between Taipei and Beijing, according to Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) Chairman Silvestre Bello III.
Bello was asked about the implications on the Philippines of Taiwan’ s recent gestures for Filipinos, such as its 2,000-metric tons (MT) rice donation, amid China-Taiwan conflict.
Bello said, “‘Yung alleged tension between China and Taiwan has been there since time immemorial. Kaya ‘yung mga tao doon, sanay na.”
[Translation: The alleged tension between China and Taiwan has been there since time immemorial. So, the people there are used to it.]
“So much so that they are not threatened by any possible outbreak of hostilities with China,” he added.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry has summoned Philippine Ambassador to Beijing Jaime FlorCruz to provide an explanation following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s congratulatory message to Taiwan’s pro-democracy leader Lai Ching-te after he was elected president on Saturday.
“On behalf of the Filipino people, I congratulate President-elect Lai Ching-te on his election as Taiwan’s next president,” Marcos said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
READ: Marcos congratulates Taiwan’s President-elect Lai Ching-te; China summons PH envoy
Marcos’ message enraged Beijing and said Manila seriously violated the “One China policy,” which states that Taiwan is part of China’s territory.
On Wednesday, MECO turned over 1,000 MT of rice donated by Taiwan to the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The 2,000 MT total rice donation is estimated to cost over ₱125 million.
