Roque insists on One-China policy despite Taiwan's protest

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Thursday stood by his comment that Taiwan is part of China.

Like most countries, the Philippines recognizes the government in Beijing, which regards self-ruled Taiwan as a renegade province.

“We have always had one position in this regard together with many countries of the world. I leave at that,”  Roque said in a televised briefing.

Roque has come under fire after he indicated on Wednesday that China should have a say on whether or not a Filipina caregiver critical of President Rodrigo Duterte should be deported.

In a statement, Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Joanne Ou said Roque wrongly accused Taiwan as part of China.

"Taiwan, the Republic of China, is a sovereign and independent country and has never been a part of China. The People's Republic of China has never ruled Taiwan," Ou said.

Philippine labor attaché Fidel Macauyag earlier sought the deportation of caregiver Elanel Egot Ordidor for criticizing Duterte's handling of the coronavirus crisis on social media.

Taiwan said it will not deport the Filipina, saying foreign workers in Taiwan are entitled to freedom of speech.

On Wednesday, Senator Franklin Drilon asked Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III to immediately recall Macauyag, saying that the labor attaché was “unfit, incompetent and totally unqualified” to promote and protect the welfare of thousands of overseas Filipino workers in Taiwan.

Roque said the Palace will leave the decision on the matter to Bello. --KBK, GMA News