DFA Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr apologized for spewing profanity against China.
Malacañang on Tuesday said that Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr apologized for spewing profanity against China.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said during his regular press briefing that Secretary Locsin had apologized to the Chinese government for spewing profanity in a tweet blasting the presence of Chinese ships in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
According to Roque, Secretary Locsin personally apologized to Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian, adding that Secretary Locsin told him about this during a phone conversation early Tuesday.
“Personal na pananaw po iyon. Hindi po ito polisiya ng Pilipinas,” Roque said of Secretary Locsin’s tweet telling Chinese ships to get out of Philippine waters.
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Roque also said that Secretary Locsin personally apologized, adding that there’s no place for profanities in diplomacy.
In addition, Roque said that Secretary Locsin made the apology “on his own” without pressure or order from the President.
President Duterte said in a public address on Monday night that the territorial dispute between the Philippines and China wasn’t a reason for Filipinos to be “rude and disrespectful”.
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The President made the remarks after Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana issued strong statements against the continued presence of Chinese ships in the West Philippine Sea.
However, Roque was quick to point out that President Duterte will not drop his habit of saying expletives — including in statements involving foreign policy.
According to Roque, President Duterte told his Cabinet that only the President has the right to curse and nobody should imitate him.
“Sabi ng Presidente sa Gabinete, ang Presidente lang ang puwede magmura. Walang puwedeng gumaya sa kanya,” Roque said.
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