Despite expressing concern, Malacañang said there was no need for the Executive Branch to take a proactive role in the investigation on the reported existence of 3,000 Chinese soldiers in Manila.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo made the statement after Senator Panfilo Lacson said he received information that around 2,000 to 3,000 members of the Chinese People’s Liberal Army (PLA) are now in the country on “immersion missions” and for other still unknown purposes.
Lacson, however, said he is yet to validate the report which he said came from a fairly reliable source.
In his Thursday press briefing, Panelo said that while the Palace is concerned about issues relating to the country’s interests and security, he cannot make a categorical statement prior the validation of the said reports.
“We have to validate that first we cannot be making statements relative to anything that is based on speculation and unverified reports,” he said. (Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos)
