The Philippine National Police (PNP) is looking for the people behind the unauthorized display of banners in different parts of Metro Manila saying that the Philippines was a province of China.
“Iniimbestigahan na kung sino may gawa noon,” PNP spokesperson Sr. Supt. Benigno Durana told reporters in an interview.
(We are investigating who is behind it.)
Durana said those behind it may “want to embarass the government” for its “warming relationship” with China.
He said the banners were already removed.
Early on Thursday morning, netizens posted on social media photos of red banners written with “Welcome to the Philippines, Province of China” hung in parts of Metro Manila. The phrase was also written in Mandarin.
One of the banners was spotted on a footbridge in Welcome Rotonda, Quezon City. Similar banners were also seen along Philcoa, also in Quezon City; on the southbound lane of C5 highway, and near the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City.
Thursday marked the second anniversary of The Hague arbitration court’s ruling on the West Philippine Sea, favoring the Philippines.
The court international court of arbitration declared as invalid China’s nine-dash-line claims in the South China Sea.
The ruling was handed down on July 12, 2016, less than two weeks after President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office. However, he set aside the ruling in favor of trade and economic investments from China. /vvp