Marcos: Sara Duterte's alleged China funds pose 'highest-level' national security threat if true

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the alleged receipt of funds from China by a company linked to Vice President Sara Duterte could pose a national security threat “at the highest level” if proven true.

During Duterte’s impeachment trial, the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) confirmed that a company linked to the Vice President and her husband received P319 million from China and Hong Kong.

“The most disturbing aspect of it is the Chinese money that now rises to a national security issue, kung totoo (if it is true). If it is true, it is a national security issue,” Marcos said.

The alleged financial transactions were raised during the impeachment court proceedings on Article II of the complaint, which accuses Duterte of amassing unexplained wealth, among other allegations.

Marcos said he hoped the allegations against the Vice President would be disproven.

“Nothing would make me happier than proof that it is not true. Then it's one less thing that I have to worry about. But if it is true, it is a threat at the highest level to the Republic,” Marcos said.

The President also cited investigations initiated by the Department of National Defense into the allegations, underscoring the potential national security implications of the reported transactions.

On Tuesday, the National Security Council (NSC) said it was taking the allegations seriously and would look into reported financial inflows from China to a company linked to Duterte’s family.

“The NSC will look into the information presented and, as a matter of policy, continue to task the intelligence and investigative agencies and coordinate with relevant government institutions to assess the national security implications, if any, arising from the reported transactions,” National Security Adviser Eduardo Oban Jr. said.

On Monday, Duterte's spokesperson, lawyer Salvador Paolo Panelo, said accusations that the Vice President has links to China because she allegedly received funds from the Chinese are without basis.

"There was a donation from the Chinese government to Tapang at Malasakit Foundation, and the Vice President is one of the trustees. Does that automatically mean the Chinese government is supporting the Vice President?" he said in Filipino.

“What if it was used to build classrooms? Or what if it was used for charitable purposes and there is proof?” Panelo added.— MCG, GMA News

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