MANILA (UPDATED) — The Chinese Embassy on Monday claimed that some Filipino politicians have “fabricated and spread a false narrative” about China’s alleged funding for an unnamed local political faction, following former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV's claim that it funded Vice President Sara Duterte's companies.
Chinese Embassy Spokesperson Ji Lingpeng also said in a statement that “the embassy’s website has been maliciously linked to as a redirect destination.”
Trillanes alleged last Friday that Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband Manases Carpio received millions worth of remittances from the Chinese government through Cale88 Foods Corp.
He also claimed that Duterte’s Tapang at Malasakit Alliance for the Philippines Inc. received P150 million from the Chinese Embassy for the construction of 13 classrooms.
Trillanes said these were based on actual documents and contracts from various government agencies.
“We strongly condemn and firmly oppose such malicious rhetoric and actions,” Ji said.
He urged politicians to “stop political manipulation and not to drag Philippine domestic politics into China-Philippines relations.”
He also said that "smearing and discrediting China and harming China's interests and image" for politics “will ultimately undermine the interests of the Philippines and its people."
Trillanes' accusations came after the prosecution dropped him from testifying in Duterte's impeachment trial.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson on Monday said Trillanes would not have...
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