House panel chair warns lawmaker vs joining HK protests

MANILA, Philippines - The chairman of the House committee on foreign affairs yesterday warned Akbayan party-list Rep. Walden Bello against participating in the protest actions in Hong Kong, saying it could worsen the already tense relations between the Philippines and China.

Albay Rep. Al Francis Bichara said no sovereign country would want foreigners to be seen as meddling in its internal affairs. Bello is chairman of the House committee on overseas Filipinos.

“Walden is not only a colleague in the House but also a close friend, but what’s happening could be seen as if we are meddling or intervening in internal matters of Hong Kong. It’s a mistake,” Bichara said.

“The worst part is that we have a problem with China, what’s happening is that we might be seen as the government agitating the situation there because Walden is a member of the government, and allied with President Aquino,” he added.

Bichara said he understands Bello and his party-list group have “progressive advocacies.”

If the situation were reversed, the Philippine government would also strongly oppose meddling of foreigners.

Bichara said he understands the balancing act that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) would have to do in defending Bello and maintaining good relations with China.

He said he believes Bello spent his personal funds for the trip.

The DFA, however, said Bello’s appearance in a pro-democracy protest in Hong Kong was not coordinated with the department.

Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said the DFA respects the views of Bello in speaking before the pro-democracy protesters.

“The department takes no side on the ongoing situation in Hong Kong and hopes all sides will express their views in a peaceful manner.

“As far as I know, none (coordination with DFA), but I think he made his statement that he went there on his own private capacity and initiative and he went there not representing the legislature,” Jose said.

The DFA has been closely monitoring the situation in Hong Kong since the protests began on Sept. 28.

The Philippine consulate general issued an advisory to the Filipino community and visiting Filipino nationals to avoid venues of protest action to ensure their safety.– With Pia Lee-Brago