Pumalag si Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo sa naging pahayag ni Sen. Panfilo Lacson na umaasta raw ito bilang tagapagsalita ng Chinese Embassy.
“I take strong exception to the remarks of Senator Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson that I am speaking on behalf of the Chinese embassy when I shared to the media its ambassador’s reaction in connection with fears about the location of some Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) with Chinese employees near our military bases,” saad ni Panelo sa isang pahayag.
Nitong Sabado nang sabihin ni Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo na nagpadala raw sa kanya ng text message si Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua kung saan nakasaad na posible raw gumanti ang China at akusahan ang mga overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) bilang mga espiya.
Reaksyon ito ng Chinese envoy sa babala ni Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana na posible raw maging espionage centers ang mga POGOs.
“Nag-text si Ambassador Zhao sa’kin. Sabi niya, ‘Kung kami mag-isip sa overseas workers niyo? Isipin namin na nagspa-spy sa amin?’” ani Panelo.
Kasunod ng pahayag na ito ni Panelo, nag-post sa kanyang Twitter si Lacson kung saan nakasaad na: “…Presidential Spokesperson or Chinese Embassy Spokesman?”
Depensa ni Panelo, wala raw masama sa pagbabahagi niya ng text message ni Zhao.
“Our overseas workers in China also deserve to be apprised of their host country’s reaction to this issue as it concerns them. It is the primordial duty of the President to serve and protect the interests of the Filipino people, whether they reside here or abroad, and as his spokesperson, I take it as my responsibility to inform the public because China’s stance may need to be considered in any policy or government action with respect to Chinese nationals working here,” anang kalihim.
“The good senator takes liberty at criticizing but it seems that he cannot take any criticism directed to him as a response to his initial criticism. This administration is open to suggestions and criticisms, but we expect those who express the same to be ready to engage in an intellectual discourse without resorting to unsporting remarks.”
Tugon naman ni Lacson, mistulang hindi raw nakuha ni Panelo ang ibig nitong ipunto.
