There have been growing concerns among Philippine lawmakers regarding the increasing number of Chinese students in Cagayan Province, with some describing it as a “creeping invasion.” This has prompted the Philippine armed forces to launch an investigation into the matter.
Cagayan, situated at the northern tip of Luzon island and facing Taiwan, has seen over 4,600 Chinese nationals enrolling in a local university and leasing residences in various parts of Tuguegarao City, as reported by The Philippines Star on April 17.
Col. Francel Margareth Padilla, the spokesperson for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), stated that the military will collaborate with the Philippine National Police (PNP) on addressing this issue.
“The AFP takes this matter seriously, and we are conducting an investigation. However, in terms of maintaining peace and order, that falls under the jurisdiction of the PNP,” Col. Padilla mentioned during a press briefing on April 16.
Filipino Congressman Robert Ace Barbers expressed his concerns at the same press briefing, highlighting the alarming influx of Chinese workers, businessmen, tourists, and students in the Philippines. He raised questions about the unexplained presence of Chinese nationals in large numbers in the country.
The escalating tensions in the South China Sea between the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the Philippines have led Manila to strengthen its ties with Washington under the U.S. Enhance Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). Cagayan, strategically located in the Taiwan Strait security complex, has become a focal point for security experts due to its proximity to EDCA sites.
To address the Chinese presence in Cagayan, which is considered a critical area within the Philippines’ domain, Rep. Joseph “Jojo” L. Lara of Cagayan’s Third District collaborated with the National Intelligence and Coordinating Agency to investigate this national security issue.
Beijing responded to Manila’s concerns on April 18, dismissing them as unfounded. The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines labeled the worries about the security threat in Cagayan as a political agenda to undermine China-Philippines cooperation.
Security analyst Chester Cabalza also shared concerns about the influx of Chinese nationals in Cagayan, especially considering the province’s significance in relation to Taiwan and the presence of American soldiers in Northern Luzon.
This article was contributed to by Zhang Ting.
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