THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) yesterday rejected China’s recent travel advisory for its nationals, saying it mischaracterizes the situation in the country.
“Instances of crimes reported or known to law enforcement authorities, including those perpetrated by Chinese nationals against their compatriots, are being vigorously addressed by relevant law enforcement authorities,” the DFA said in a statement.
“The Philippine government has been engaging with relevant stakeholders on these cases,” it added.
The PNP disputed China’s claim that peace and order in the Philippines is deteriorating and its nationals.
Col. Randulf Tuaño, chief of the PNP’s Public Information Office, said the crime rate has decreased by 16.5 percent from January to August this year, compared to the same period last year.
“If we’re talking about crime rate, there is a decrease from 26,000 to around 22,000. That’s a16.5 percent (decrease),” Tuaño told a press briefing at Camp Crame.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs through its embassy in Manila has issued a notice dated August 30, saying crimes are increasingly targeting Chinese nationals.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy and consulates in the Philippines remind fellow Chinese nationals there to closely monitor local security, exercise increased caution, strengthen self-protection measures, avoid high-risk areas, and ensure personal and property safety,” it said.
The DFA said Manila is “constructively” addressing matters of mutual concerns with Beijing, including the issue on crimes and public safety.
It also pointed to the 9th Philippines-China Joint Consular Consultation Meeting concluded last month, wherein both countries discussed concerns and measures and expressed readiness to deepen law enforcement cooperation between Filipino and Chinese authorities.
Tuaño He said the PNP recorded a total 22,519 crimes from January 1 to August 28 this year, which is lower than the 26,969 incidents recorded during the same period last year.
“So our crime situation did not worsen,” he said.
Tuaño also said the PNP leadership has instructed the PNP director for intelligence to coordinate with the Chinese embassy to address China’s concern.
Tuaño acknowledged there have been 21 cases of kidnapping involving Chinese as victims since January, but said these “are Chinese versus Chinese.”
Interior Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla said it was not right for China to make such statement.
“We don’t make claims about their country so why they make claims about ours?… For another country to interfere with our sovereign issues, that is not right,” he said.
“We have records of what is happening here. The crime is down,” he added.
China has issued several travel advisories since early this year, warning its citizens to stay alert and exercise extra caution when visiting the Philippines due to the alleged “worsening public security.
The latest advisory asked those intending to visit the country to “conduct careful risk assessments before planning trips.”
A similar advisory was issued last month by China’s Ministry of Education, warning Chinese planning to study here, due to the alleged unstable security situation in the country, with an alleged surge in crimes targeting Chinese nationals.
The DFA protested that, saying it is incorrect and inaccurate and that law enforcement authorities are on top of the situation and all crimes are being investigated and addressed.
