2 weeks ago
11
Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!
Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.
Visit Suniway.ph to learn
Pia Lee Brago - The Philippine Star
May 29, 2026 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Philippine law enforcement operations are not directed against any nationality, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday, in response to concerns raised by the Chinese embassy over the “frequent” apprehension of its nationals.
In a statement, the DFA said it “takes note of the concerns” raised by the embassy, emphasizing that “the Philippines respects the rights of all foreign nationals under Philippine law.”
“Law enforcement actions are based on specific acts and evidence, and are not directed against any nationality,” the DFA said.
“The Department will continue to coordinate with relevant Philippine agencies and the Chinese Embassy, as appropriate, while respecting ongoing investigations and legal processes,” it added.
Chinese embassy spokesman Ji Lingpeng said the embassy has asked the Philippines to notify the Chinese diplomatic missions, within four days, of the facts and reasons for which Chinese nationals have been arrested or detained.
“We urge the Philippine side to handle the cases in a fair and just manner in accordance with law, and earnestly safeguard the personal safety, legitimate rights and interests, and humane treatment of the Chinese nationals involved,” Ji said in a statement.
“Should the investigation confirm that they have violated no Philippine laws, the relevant Chinese nationals shall be released as soon as possible, and no illegal or prolonged detention shall be allowed,” he said.
Ji said China respects the Philippines’ judicial sovereignty and its efforts to handle cases in accordance with law.
“However, we firmly oppose selective and discriminatory law enforcement targeting Chinese nationals,” he said.
Twenty-four Chinese nationals were arrested in a joint law enforcement operation conducted by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) Davao Region and the Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry Division in Panabo City, Davao del Norte on Monday over alleged illegal employment and immigration violations.
On May 15, Philippine authorities raided a steel manufacturing plant in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental province and arrested 69 Chinese nationals and one Filipino.
‘Bully posture’
Meanwhile, Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima has called on the Marcos administration to find ways of putting an end to China’s repeated “entitled bully posture” in the West Philippine Sea, which is adversely affecting the livelihood of local fishermen, among others.
“China still shows no respect for our sovereignty with its maneuvers near Zambales; they can never be trusted to engage in good faith in oil exploration. We laud the Philippine Coast Guard for defending and asserting that what is ours is ours,” De Lima said.
She was referring to the latest incident in WPS in which the Philippines successfully tracked and challenged a China Coast Guard vessel drifting just 50 nautical miles off the coast of Zambales.
Quad ‘seriously concerned’
At a meeting in New Delhi, the foreign ministers of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or Quad nations said they remain seriously concerned about the situation in the East China Sea and the South China Sea and the militarization of disputed features.
The Quad, comprising the United States, Japan, Australia and India, reiterated its strong opposition to any destabilizing or unilateral actions in the South China Sea and East China Sea.
“We express our serious concerns regarding dangerous and coercive actions, including interference with offshore resource development, the repeated obstruction of freedom of navigation and overflight, and the dangerous maneuvers by military aircraft and coast guard and maritime militia vessels, especially the unsafe use of water cannons and flares, and ramming or blocking actions in the South China Sea,” the Quad joint statement on Tuesday read. – Delon Porcalla
