MANILA, Philippines — Another “blunder” from the part of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO).
This was how Bayan Muna Rep. Ferdinand Gaite described “Wow China”, a program being aired on state-run Radyo Pilipinas promoting Chinese culture and history, on Tuesday.
Radyo Pilipinas is a radio station of the Philippine Broadcasting Service (PBS) under the PCOO.
“While there is nothing wrong about appreciating the rich cultures of our Asian neighbors, this show is really unpleasant to the ears as it comes at the heels of China’s repeated disrespect of our territorial integrity and sovereignty,” Gaite said in a statement.
“On one hand, the government radio station is busy promoting ‘better relations and friendship’ with China. On the other hand, the Chinese government is busy establishing its foothold on our islands in the West Philippine Sea,” the lawmaker added.
Gaite made the remark after an episode of Wow China program made rounds on social media over the weekend.
“We’re blasting Chinese propaganda on our radio, and they’re blasting Filipino fishermen off our waters and pointing guns at our navy,” Gaite pointed out.
“Netizens have all the right to call out this radio program especially that they don’t see the same enthusiasm from the government in terms of protecting our interests at the same level as they have in promoting China. It’s almost treasonous if it isn’t yet,” the lawmaker added.
According to Gaite, the show is a project included in the Memorandum of Agreement on News, Information Exchange, Training, and for other Purposes between the State Council Information Office of the People’s Republic of China and PCOO.
“It would be good to know what other projects are in this contract between the Philippines and China, and also know to what extent would the PCOO act as a PR machinery of the Chinese government,” Gaite said.
INQUIRER.net has sought the comment of PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar on the issue but he instead referred the query to PBS Director-General Rizal Giovanni “Bong” Aportadera Jr., whom the presidential communications boss said will issue a statement within this day.
KGA
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