By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Expressing alarm over the presence of Chinese citizens in the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Auxiliary threatens the security of the nation, Deputy Majority Leader and Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre on Thursday (21 March 2024) called for accountability on those who allowed them to be recruited.
The Tingog party-list lawmaker said the claim of PCG officials that some Chinese recruits have already been removed from their auxiliary force “is a welcome development.”
“I’m sure there will be people who should be made accountable. It’s not what we can consider an honest mistake, I’m sure the concealment is malicious and that is a serious threat to national security,” Acidre said in a press conference.
On Wednesday (20 March 2024), PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan admitted the recruitment of Chinese nationals in their auxiliary unit before a House committee in response to a query by Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers.
“Bakit sila nakapasok. Sino ‘yung mga nagpahintulot? Who turned a blind eye? I’m sure, hindi naman pwedeng nangyari lang ‘yon ng sila lang,” Acidre said.
The PCG, however, claimed to have its cleansing process.
“We already went to a process in coordination with relevant intelligence and national security concerned agencies of the government, and in fact, we have already delisted 36 of them (Chinese nationals),” Gavan said.
Acidre called on the PCG and agencies with similar auxiliary forces to adequately vet their recruits and volunteers.
“I call on all the agencies that have auxiliary bodies or institutions like the PCG Auxiliary. I hope they look into the qualifications. I hope that this should be a lesson for us moving forward,” he declared.
(el Amigo/MNM)