By Junex Doronio
MANILA — After Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. accused China of “gutter-level talk” for its reaction to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s congratulatory remark to Taiwan’s President-elect Lai Ching-Te, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on Thursday sternly warned the Philippines against making provocations on the Taiwan issue.
At the same time, China reiterated its call to the Philippines to adhere to its one-China principle and stop its “wrong words and deeds” about Taiwan.
“China will never accept anyone making provocations on the Taiwan question and we will fight back,” Mao said at a regular press conference.
Political pundits told Maharlika NuMedia that this may trigger more Chinese incursions and aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Earlier, Teodoro Jr. assailed Mao for insulting Marcos Jr. and by stooping to what he called “low and gutter level talk.”
The defense chief was reacting to Mao’s statement on Tuesday (January 16) suggesting that “Marcos read more books to properly understand the ins and outs of the Taiwan issue.”
“Unfortunately, the PRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson stooped to such low and gutter level talk—resorting to insulting our president and the Filipino nation, and further debasing herself, the Ministry, and the Party she represents in the process,” the DND chief said in a statement on Wednesday (January 17).
Gibo accused Mao of “spouting State-sanctioned propaganda and disinformation.”
(el Amigo/MNM)