China denies giving money to Philippine political group in wake of Trillanes' claims

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The Chinese Embassy in Manila has branded as a "false narrative" the allegations that China has funneled funds to a political faction in the Philippines, calling them "malicious rhetoric and actions"

Chinese Embassy spokesperson Ji Lingpeng said this days after former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV claimed that Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, lawyer Maneses Carpio, accepted P150 million and P319 million from China through separate organizations.

In a statement that didn't name the Philippine parties involved, Ji said the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines has noted that certain Philippine politicians fabricated and spread a false narrative alleging that China had funneled funds to a particular political faction in the Philippines.

The statement also referred to an allegation that the Chinese Embassy’s website had been maliciously linked to as a redirect destination.

"We strongly condemn and firmly oppose such malicious rhetoric and actions. We urge the relevant individuals in the Philippines to stop political manipulation and not to drag Philippine domestic politics into China-Philippines relations," Ji said.

"Attempts to achieve personal political gains by smearing and discrediting China and harming China's interests and image are doomed to fail and will ultimately undermine the interests of the Philippines and its people," he added.

Sara Duterte's spokesman Atty. Paolo Panelo over the weekend branded as "malicious fabrications" Trillanes' allegations, which were presented in a news conference on Friday.

"Because of these repeated, unmasked deceptions, the Filipino people have rightfully and overwhelmingly rejected Trillanes in every subsequent attempt to get elected back into public office," Panelo said.

Ji said the Chinese Embassy would "take all necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate interests and dignity."

In a statement on Saturday, Defense Secretary Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro said allegations that Sara Duterte and her husband Mans Carpio received money from the Chinese government raised "serious implications for national security."

Teodoro urged Trillanes to submit evidence, so it could be "thoroughly investigated."

"The allegations of Fmr. Senator Trillanes, if substantiated, raise serious implications for national security. He should submit the evidence in his possession, if any, to our law enforcement authorities so the matter can be thoroughly investigated," Teodoro said.

On Friday, Malacañang lambasted officials who remained silent on territorial issues like the West Philippine Sea, especially those who accepted bribes to do so.

Without naming names, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro did not mince words when asked about former senator Antonio Trillanes’ claim of Chinese money making its way to Sara Duterte and Mans Carpio.

“Kung sapat ang ebidensya, hindi ito dapat isawalang-bahala. Maituturing na pagtataksil sa bayan ang mga Filipino lalo na kung sila ay mga public official na kaya pala tahimik sa mga karahasang natatanggap ng iba nating mangingisda sa kamay ng mga dayuhan, at ang iba naman ay handang ipamigay ang parte ng ating teritoryo o karapatan sa WPS ay dahil natatapalan ng pera ang kanilang mga mata para talikuran ang pagmamahal sa sariling bayan at ibenta ang ating kalayaan,” Castro said in a message to reporters.

(If the evidence is sufficient, then this should not be brushed aside. Filipinos, especially public officials, are guilty of betraying the country if they are silent on the violence faced by our fisherfolks in the hands of foreigners, with some of them even ready to give away parts of the WPS because they were blinded by money to forget their love of the nation and sell out freedom.) –NB, GMA News