THE Department of Foreign yesterday protested a travel warning issued by China’s Ministry of Education, warning its students who are traveling to the Philippines of alleged unstable security situation in the country.
The DFA said the Chinese advisory, issued on July 18, “mischaracterizes the situation” in the country.
“The Department has conveyed its concerns regarding the inaccuracies in the advisory issued by the Chinese Ministry of Education through diplomatic channels. It is hoped that the Chinese side will undertake the necessary corrections,” the DFA said in a statement.
The advisory said there is a surge in crimes targeting Chinese nationals, and cited incidents of Chinese nationals and establishments being harassed by local law enforcers.
“Chinese students should carefully assess safety risks and to strengthen their awareness and precautions when considering pursuing study in the Philippines,” the advisory said.
The DFA said law enforcement authorities are on top of the situation and all crimes are being investigated and addressed.
“All instances of crimes, including those involving Chinese and other foreign nationals as well as those perpetrated by foreign nationals against their own, are being addressed by relevant law enforcement authorities,” the DFA said.
“The Philippine government has been engaging with foreign embassies, including the Chinese Embassy, regarding these cases in good faith,” the DFA added.
“The Philippines remains committed to constructively discussing matters of mutual concern with China,” it further said.
To recall, controversy erupted early last year due to the reported influx of Chinese students in several schools in Cagayan Valley.
Their presence also raised concerns about possible spying considering the province is home to a military base that can also be used by US military forces under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement.
The Bureau of Immigration said then that 1,516 Chinese nationals have been issued student visas in Cagayan in 2023 but only 400 of them were onsite because their schools were implementing distance learning mode.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila has yet to provide the number of Chinese students currently enrolled in Philippine schools.
In April this year, the Chinese government also issued a security advisory, warning its citizens traveling to the Philippines to exercise precaution amid what it said it is the unstable public security in the country.
The April advisory noted that its nationals have increasingly faced harassment and inspections by Philippine law enforcement, while political gatherings, protests, and demonstrations have become more frequent nationwide.
