Surigao del Norte Robert Ace Barbers, overall chairman of the Lower House Quad Committee, on Thursday (December 26) warned that any decision to procure arms from China will be detrimental to the defense capability of the country because the Chinese are notorious for selling counterfeits.

Barbers, also chairman of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, made the statement as he supported the decision of the Department of National Defense to purchase weapons from the United States.

China has assailed the Philippine government decision, warning that Manila’s planned weapons upgrade could intensify geopolitical confrontations and trigger regional arms race among neighbors in Asia.

“Baka siguro gusto ng China ay sa kanila tayo bumili ng mga military weapons na kung iisipin ay baka mabudol (scam) tayo dahil kilala sila sa pag-produce ng mga counterfeit o peke na mga gamit, mga kagamitan from head to foot,” he said.

Barbers lauded Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro for making the "right move", adding that he deserves support “for standing up against the whims and caprices of the Chinese government.”

The veteran administration lawmaker decried China’s criticism of the Philippine government’s move to upgrade and accelerate its military capability by tapping US sources for the acquisition of midrange missiles and other armaments.klj741d20c

He said China has no business meddling into Philippines bid to improve its defense capability.

“Sobra nang pakikialam ang ginagawa ng China sa ating bansa at dapat magkaisa at sama-sama tayong lahat na Filipino na pigilin at tuligsain ang kanilang mga makasariling layunin sa loob at labas ng bansa, partikular na sa West Philippine Sea,” he added.

The Mindanaoan lawmaker supported Teodoro’s reasoning that if China is truthfully concerned about reducing tensions and instability in the Southeast Asia region, “it should cease their saber rattling, stop their provocative actions, halt their interference in other countries.

The Chinese government must also show sincerity in its claim that it supports peace by simply withdrawing “their illegal presence inside the country’s 200-mile economic zone and adhere to international law like the UNCLOS decisions.”

Teodoro also accused the Communist Party of China (CPC) of expanding its nuclear arsenal and ballistic missile capability, sponsoring criminal syndicates and subversive organizations beyond its borders like POGOs in the Philippines, and refusing to uphold human rights within China.

“Lahat ng sinabi ni Secretary Gibo ay tama at masakit na patama sa China dahil ang lahat ng ito ay totoo. Kahit ano pang gawin ng China propaganda bureau na naka-base sa loob at labas ng ating bansa ay di kayang pasinungalingan ang mga sinabi ni Gibo,” Barbers said. ♥