Palace defends Locsin’s ‘crass’ Twitter language as ‘hyperbole’

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Monday came to the defense of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. in the wake of social network Twitter’s decision to lock down his account over an abusive tweet.

The top diplomat’s controversial tweet was directed at the militant group Bayan, which he referred to as “communists” not worthy of one’s time and which should be shot.

“These are f****** communists. You shoot them. You don’t listen to them,” Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes, quoted Locsin in his now-deleted tweet.

But in a Palace press briefing, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo urged the public to “go beyond the language” of Locsin instead of his curses.

“He’s a responsible government official and effective in his job,” Panelo said. “Go beyond the language. Look at the meat and the essence and the substance of what he’s saying.”

Panelo also said that Locsin was just like President Duterte who has been known for his hyperbole and tough-talking persona.

“Baka naman hyperbole lang ‘yun. Kumbaga parang style ni Presidente, hyperbole lang ‘yun,’ he said.

This was not the first time that Locsin’s crass language on Twitter stirred controversy.

On June 2019, he called Vice President Leni Robredo “boba” (stupid) for her comments on the diplomatic passport row.

As of 3PM, however, Twitter has reinstalled Locsin’s account.

See that smile? Lighten up my friend. https://t.co/xH8jpsxGr3

— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) March 9, 2020

EDV