Malacanang has supported the statement of President Rodrigo Duterte that Filipinos are indebted to China for its COVID-19 vaccines.
Duterte said in a briefing that he will not go to war with Beijing amid incursions in Philippine waters because “China is a good friend.”
“We do not want war with China. China is a good friend. Mayroon tayong utang na loob na marami pati ‘yong bakuna natin,” Duterte earlier said.
The Palace said that countries are banned from starting a war according to international laws.
“Pagdating po sa utang na loob, alam mo naman tayong mga Pilipino, hindi po tayo bulag sa mga tulong na natatanggap natin,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Thursday in a press briefing.
“Hanggang ngayon naman po, ang naaasahan lang natin, Sinovac, aminin po natin ‘yan. Ilang buwan na tayong nagsimula, Sinovac lang naaasahan talaga natin. Tama lang po na tumanaw ng utang na loob,” Roque added.
The bulk of the Philippines’ 4.025 million COVID-19 shots came from Beijing-based Sinovac Biotech. China donated 1 million of these doses.
“Hindi naman natin sinasabi na wala rin tayong utang na loob doon sa mga bansa na nag-contribute sa COVAX Facility. Pinasalamatan nga rin po sila ni Presidente. Tumatanaw din po tayo ng utang na loob sa kanila,” Roque added.
The country has so far filed 78 diplomatic protests against China over its presence in the West Philippine Sea.
