THE Chinese Embassy in Manila on Monday denied funding a “particular political faction in the Philippines.”
The statement comes after former senator Antonio Trillanes IV accused Vice President Sara Duterte of receiving money from China.
In a statement, the embassy called the allegations “malicious rhetoric.”
“We strongly condemn and firmly oppose such malicious rhetoric and actions,” the embassy said.
“We urge the relevant individuals in the Philippines to stop political manipulation and not to drag Philippine domestic politics into China-Philippines relations,” it added.
"The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines has noted that recently certain Philippine politicians fabricated and spread a false narrative alleging that China had funneled funds to a particular political faction in the Philippines, and the Embassy’s website has been maliciously linked to as a redirect destination," the embassy said.
The embassy asserted that it reserves the right to protect its official standing and institutional integrity amid the ongoing controversy.
"Attempts to achieve personal political gains by smearing and discrediting China and harming China's interests and image are doomed to fail," it said.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. earlier said that if Trillanes’ claims were true, he should submit evidence to authorities.
“The allegations of former senator Trillanes, if substantiated, raise serious implications for national security,” he said.
“He should submit the evidence in his possession, if any, to our law enforcement authorities so the matter can be thoroughly investigated,” he added.
