Thai paper calls Philippines 'land of COVID-19', Palace says 'intindihin na lang'

Malacañang on Tuesday asked for understanding from Filipinos after a Thai newspaper referred to the Philippines as the 'land of COVID-19'.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the viewpoint of newspaper Thai Rath was considered free speech even as he cited the media restrictions in Thailand.

“Sa tingin ko po, dahil marami silang hindi pupwedeng pulaan sa Thailand, pinulaan na lang nila tayo. Intindihin na lang po natin iyan,” Roque said in a televised briefing.

“Tayo naman dito sa Pilipinas, alam natin ang kahalagahan ng malayang pananalita, tanggapin na rin po natin iyan bilang input sa malayang merkado ng ideas.”

Unlike Roque, the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok expressed “deep dissatisfaction” over the characterization of the Philippines in the headline in relation to the story on the return of Filipino teachers.

In a letter addressed to Thai Rath editor-in-chief Saravut Vacharapol on Wednesday, Consul General Val Simon Roque said the characterization was “inappropriate, insensitive, and unhelpful” at a time when Southeast Asian countries are working together to address the pandemic.

The embassy also assured the staff members and readers of the Thai newspaper that the teachers and other Filipinos returning to Thailand "are following and will strictly follow all the health protocols and quarantine conditions promulgated by the Royal Thai government."

The Philippines on Tuesday announced 2,987 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the country’s tally to 139,538, the highest in Southeast Asia. -NB, GMA News