By Junex Doronio

FOR POSTING ABOUT “Why Palestinian Children Should Be Killed’, Special Envoy to China Teodoro “Teddyboy” Locsin Jr. seemingly shot himself in the foot as several netizens were enraged of his “undiplomatic, if not inhumane” comment.

“That’s why Palestinian children should be killed; they might grow up to become as gullible innocent Palestinians letting Hamas launch rockets at Israel; not that they could stop them but that’s no excuse. They are Muslims. They could stage mass suicide attacks against Hamas until the latter ran out of bullets,” Locsin on Saturday, October 21, posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Although Locsin has already apologized and claimed it was only his “sarcastic response” to a netizen who was apparently depressed after watching a documentary on the hardships faced by Palestinians, specially children, in the ongoing Israel-Hamas armed conflict.

On Sunday, October 22, changed his tone and posted on X: “I immediately deleted my sarcastic response to a tweet as I realized it could be misconstrued and retweeted to incite. My apologies to those who did misconstrue my sentiments and did in fact get triggered – I obviously was not advocating for the literal death of anyone, but rather simply for the end of any ideology that condones terrorism in any way, shape or form.”

But his “palusot” or justification only enraged the netizens more.

“You call yourself an ambassador with that post? Shame on you. Nang-gaslight ka pa,” one X user quipped.

“It was hard to believe that it came from a man who was once known for his tact and unwavering principle and integrity. But you said what you said @teddyboylocsin. It was never sarcasm! You were too upfront and ít revealed who you are as a person! From someone admirable to derailed!” another netizen hammered on.

“For a DIPLOMAT like you, with long experience in broadcast media, and a former presidential speechwriter, you are always expected that your choice of words are always diplomatic and TACTFUL. What a disappointment,” one X user commented.

“Sarcastic or not, it (was) so done in a bad taste; and what’s worse, you are being paid by our taxes as a diplomat,” another netizen blasted Locsin.

(ai/mnm)