VP Robredo questions China's friendship with Philippines

Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday questioned the “friendship” between the Philippines and China after the East Asian superpower “disrespected” Philippine sovereignty.

“Sinasabi natin na kaibigan natin, pero ‘di ba kapag magkaibigan kayo, nagrerespetuhan? Marami silang ginagawa na disrespect sa sovereignty ng bansa natin. So iyong tanong: Iyan ba ang kaibigan?” she said in her weekly radio show.

Earlier, the Philippines filed diplomatic protests against China after a Chinese vessel aimed a radar gun at a Philippine Navy ship and Beijing established two districts in the West Philippine Sea. 

Robredo lauded the Department of Foreign Affairs for filing the protests.

“Sana mas maging consistent tayo na kung may kasalanan na ginagawa sa atin, iparamdam natin iyong pagprotesta natin para respetuhin tayo,” she said.

The Chinese Embassy also produced a music video on Philippines-China ties amid the coronavirus pandemic dubbed “Iisang Dagat,” which recently drew flak on social media. 

“Sa akin lang, sa gitna ba naman ng trahedya, naiisip pa nilang gawin iyong pag-violate sa ating territorial boundaries,” Robredo lamented. —Julia Mari Ornedo/LBG, GMA News