By SAMMY JULIAN
Manila News Bureau Chief
MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs has reassured the Chinese Embassy here of appropriate and necessary protection to guard Chinese nationals against threats and any violent incidents.
“We have also reassured them that the authorities are fully investigating the group associated with the three suspects of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 incident on Sept. 1,” the DFA said in a statement.
This was after the Chinese Foreign Ministry warned its citizens against traveling to the Philippines due to plots, confirmed by the police, by criminal groups to attack the Chinese Embassy, Chinese companies, and public venues such as malls.
“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.
Caught in a van containing petrol bombs and firecrackers, the NAIA foiled bombing suspects allegedly planned a series of consecutive attacks apparently to publicize their anti-China grievances.
They also claimed to be defenders of the Filipinos and consider China and the Filipino-Chinese oligarch’s monopolistic business practices and illegal mining as enemies.
The suspects appeared to be particularly angry at the Philippines’ “soft” stance toward China in its long-running dispute over territorial claims at the South China Sea.
They planned to firebomb SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City and strafe the DMCI building.
SM Mall of Asia is owned by Henry Sy, the Philippines’ richest man who was born in China.
DMCI, on the other hand, is a construction firm owned by David Consunji, another ethnic Chinese-Filipino whom Forbes magazine listed as the country’s sixth richest man.
DFA said it has sent a note verbale to the Chinese Embassy to let them know about the Philippine government’s position on the issue.
DFA spokesperson Charles Jose previously said reports saying the Philippine consulates have stopped issuing visas to Chinese nationals are not true.
“In fact, we are aggressive in adding more routes and charters (to and from China),” said Jose./PN
