MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte stated on Monday, October 12, that recent comments from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. linking her to China as a national security issue endanger both her personal safety and the stability of the nation.
In an official statement released by the Office of the Vice President (OVP), Duterte asserted that the administration’s stance carries profound consequences for diplomatic relations with Beijing, while cautioning that state apparatuses could be leveraged for political persecution.
“Ang pahayag ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. hinggil sa mga alegasyong nag-uugnay sa akin sa China bilang isang usapin ng national security ay may seryosong implikasyon sa aking seguridad at sa seguridad ng ating bansa,” Duterte expressed.
The Vice President maintained that treating her alignment as a security threat equates to an official acknowledgement from the executive branch.
“Una — ang pahayag ay lantarang pag-amin na ako, bilang Bise Presidente, ay itinuturing ng Marcos administration na isang national security issue,” she stated.
Furthermore, Duterte expressed apprehension that this classification could open the door for state intelligence and law enforcement bodies to target her.
“At dahil diyan, binibigyang-katwiran ng Malacañang ang paggamit ng buong pwersa ng estado, kabilang na ang intelligence agencies at law enforcement agencies, na ako ay manmanan, gipitin, and tuluyang pabagsakin sa ngalan ng pulitika,” she added.
Concerns Over Foreign Policy and Trade
Beyond domestic political implications, Duterte criticized how the administration frames economic partnerships involving China, noting that the rhetoric acts as a discouraging signal to local enterprises.
“Pangalawa — malinaw sa pahayag ni Bongbong Marcos na para sa kanya, banta sa seguridad ng Pilipinas ang pakikipag-negosyo sa China. Mayroon itong bahid ng babala sa mga negosyanteng Pilipino na nagnenegosyo sa China,” she remarked.
She also cautioned that the narrative falsely portrays Beijing as meddling in domestic matters, creating an unnecessary and delicate friction in foreign affairs.
“At higit sa lahat, ang pahayag ay tahasang nag-aakusa sa China ng panghihimasok sa internal affairs ng Pilipinas. Bagaman wala itong sapat na katwiran, isa itong mapangahas at mapanganib na hamon sa China — isang bansang may mahabang kasaysayan ng ugnayan sa Pilipinas,” Duterte stated.
“Seryoso ito. At maaaring magkaroon ito ng seryosong epekto sa ating relasyon sa China,” she concluded.