Lt. Col. Alex Daniel, OIC of Ermita police (left) and DFA Secretary Teodoro “Teddy Boy” Locsin Jr. (right) pose for a photo at the Manila Baywalk white sand. Photo from Twitter account of Teodoro Locsin Jr.
MANILA, Philippines — Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro “Teddy” Boy Locsin Jr. on Tuesday said he is looking to fix the “moat” or wide trench of the US Embassy after he was stunned by the “beauty” of artificial white sand poured over a portion of the Manila Bay’s coastline.
“We filled in moat of US embassy to keep threats at Bay—get it? Will fix that. I was stunned by the beauty and vast possibility for tourism of (Environment Secretary Roy) Cimatu’s idea of a white sand beach from end to end,” Locsin wrote in a tweet, sharing photos of his visit to the highly-criticized “white sand” at Manila Baywalk.
Locsin did not further explain the adjustments for the moat at the US Embassy.
The American Embassy is located along Roxas Boulevard in Ermita near Manila Bay.
Locsin also further praised the DENR as well as DPWH over the white sand project which he branded as “pure genius.”
We filled in moat of US embassy to keep threats at Bay—get it? Will fix that. I was stunned by the beauty and vast possibility for tourism of Cimatu’s idea of a white sand beach from end to end. DENR & DPWH show it can be done in half a year. Pure genius. Marine life appearing. pic.twitter.com/ajosPXGQnE
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) September 22, 2020
“DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) & DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) show it can be done in half a year. Pure genius. Marine life appearing,” Locsin further said.
Lt. Col. Alex Daniel, officer-in-charge of Ermita police, was also seen in the photos shared by Locsin.
Over the weekend, a throng of visitors took the opportunity to check the white sand project, thus, risking social distancing protocols which prompted the government to strictly guard the area.