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Alejano slams Duterte’s ‘I love Xi’ remark, absence at Araw ng Kagitingan activities


Magdalo party-list Representative Gary Alejano on Tuesday criticized President Rodrigo Duterte for praising China and its President Xi Jinping, and for not attending events commemorating Araw ng Kagitingan, the national holiday honoring Filipino soldiers and war veterans.

“Isang tipikal na pagsisipsip kay Xi Jinping ‘yon kasi he wants money, but alam mo, it is very ironic that he was absent in the celebration of Araw ng Kagitingan, which is usually attended by the President because of its national significance and throughout history,” Alejano said in a chance interview in Quezon City.

“Ano ‘yun eh, pakikipaglaban para sa ating kasarinlan and yet absent siya because he’s going to China, China that is grabbing our island. So very opposite ang ginawa niya," he added.

Duterte skipped the Araw ng Kagitingan commemoration to prepare for his trip to China to attend the Boao Forum for Asia.

At a press conference before his flight on Monday, Duterte said that he “loves” Xi and that the Chinese leader is “willing to help.”

“So, I would say, I need China. More than anybody else at this time of our national life, I need China. I will not say something which is not true,” he added.

Alejano, who has repeatedly criticized the administration for having too soft a stance on China’s reclamation in the West Philippine sea, said that decisions toward “variable” interests like jobs and investment “should not compromise the primary national interest with the sovereignty of territorial integrity.”

“So pag sinabi mong you want resources or funding for your Build, Build, Build, that’s the reason why he may be silent or not doing anything in the West Philippine Sea, that means you exchange your rights over them to money. That is tantamount to selling,” said the lawmaker.

Meawhile, a recently released blueprint showing China’s plan of building structures on Panatag (Scarborough) shoal have led analysts to believe that the superpower was still pursuing its interests in Philippine territories.

Asked about the reported development in China's reclamation, Alejano echoed the analysts' concerns, emphasizing the shoal is strategic for military defense purposes.

“They have already plans on how to reclaim Panatag or Scarborough and I believe that it’s the matter of time before they execute that plan,” Alejano said.

“But accordingly, sabi ni Duterte, it’s an agreement between that China will not do that,” he added. — BM, GMA News

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