DFA downplays writer's 'maid-country' remark

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday downplayed a Hong Kong columnist's depiction of the Philippines as "a nation of servants" by saying it was the opinion of only one person.

Still, DFA spokesperson Eduardo Malaya called columnist Chip Tsao's remark "uncalled for," and declared the Philippine consulate-general in Hong Kong will make appropriate action upon consultation with the Filipino community there.

"It's the view of one person and we don't think it is shared by the Hong Kong community and society.... I think we ought to take it as that," Malaya said in an interview on radio dzBB.

"It does not come from an official of the Hong Kong government, it does not come from the government itself," he added.

Despite this, Malaya said there was no excuse for the remark, which he said failed to recognize the contribution of the Filipino community in Hong Kong.

Earlier in the day, House Foreign Affairs committee chair Antonio Cuenco and senior deputy minority leader Roilo Golez urged the DFA to lodge a protest before Hong Kong authorities over the remark.

Malaya said a protest is not being prepared yet, but the Philippine consulate-general in Hong-Kong is already "evaluating" the commentary to decide on the appropriate action.

"They will - in consultation with community members, our Filipino community members in Hong Kong - undertake the needed and appropriate response to this particular commentary," said the DFA spokesperson.

Citing the Philippine consulate-general's initial report, however, Malaya said Tsao is "already getting an earful" from readers of the widely-circulated HK Magazine where his controversial piece "The War at Home" was published last March 27.

In his commentary, Tsao depicted the Philippines as "a nation of servants" unworthy of claiming the Spratlys from China.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde on Monday called the article "reprehensible," but said Malacañang will still look into the issue to decide on what to doe next. - Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV

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