Locsin to file protest vs. Turkey for slap at Philippine sovereignty

Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Friday said he would file a diplomatic protest against Turkey and was studying a suit against Bangsamoro officials, citing violation of Philippine sovereignty.

Locsin, who made the statement on Twitter, did not elaborate but even threatened to cut ties with Turkey.

The Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila has yet to clarify Locsin's remarks, but sources said the secretary was angered by a meeting in Ankara by Turkish government officials and Bangsamoro Administrative Region for Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) leader Murad Ebrahim from December 13 to 15.

The Philippine government was reportedly not officially informed about the meeting.

"Filing a diplomatic protest against Turkey; studying charges vs Filipino BARMM officials involved. If not repudiated by Ankara NOW I propose breaking diplomatic relations. A slap at Philippine sovereignty and an attack on our territorial unity and integrity. Reeks of sellout," Locsin said.

GMA News Online also reached out to the Embassy of Turkey in Manila, but did not receive a response.

Philippine diplomats, according to sources, recommended the postponement of the meeting as it did not go through evaluation.

Defying the DFA's recommendation, Murad pushed through with the visit and met with Turkish Deputy Ministers for Foreign Affairs, and other officials from various national agencies.

The Bangsamoro Organic Law, which replaced the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, established a more powerful autonomous region for minority Muslims in Southern Philippines under the historic peace deal that was signed in March 2014. The accord ended more than four decades of Muslim rebellion in Mindanao, which has claimed at least 150,000 lives, displaced thousands and blocked economic progress to a number of areas in the region.

However, the central government maintains exclusive powers over constitutional and nation matters, such as Foreign Affairs and Defense. —NB, GMA News