(Eagle News) — Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Thursday, July 12, said “enemies of the government” were behind the banners calling the Philippines a “province of China” and which were seen hanging from some footbridges in Metro Manila
“It’s absurd, and I’m sure it’s (them behind it),” Roque said.
According to Roque, those behind the banners, which were seen on the second anniversary of the Philippines’ win in its arbitration case filed against China, were “only provoking because they are obviously propagating a lie that we have given up on our national territory.”
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said the banners were seen in six footbridges in Quezon Avenue, España, Pasay, C5 Kalayaan, Airport Road and Commonwealth Philcoa.
According to Roque, the message of the tarpaulins was “farthest from the truth.”
“So to (those behind the banners), try again. You need a better gimmick than that,” Roque said.
MMDA probe
The MMDA for its part has vowed to take down the banners, saying permits had not been issued for them.
MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia said the agency was also conducting an investigation.
So far, he said it appeared the putting up of the banners was done carefully since they were hung far from the CCTVs in the area.
“Pag pinag-usapan natin..kung sino naglagay, sisikat pa siya. We’re investigating..kasi bawal ginawa,” Garcia said. With a report from Mar Gabriel
