PASTOR Apollo C. Quiboloy reaction on the issue of Filipinos being called traitors for defending China in the aftermath of the Ayungin Shoal incident.
“We are for nation-building. We are presenting nothing else but the interests of our own country,” Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy said.
Pastor Apollo repeatedly emphasized in the latest episode of Spotlight on Monday that the only goal should be what is beneficial for the Philippines’ interests. This is especially important for Filipinos, particularly the country’s leaders.
This follows a statement from a government official that anyone defending China after the confrontation between the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and Philippine vessels can be considered unpatriotic and traitorous.
However, according to Pastor Apollo, this shouldn’t be the perspective regarding the issue. He mentioned that if it were up to him, China is a friend, but it doesn’t mean that he sides with its interests.
“We’re not pro-China; we’re a friend of China. But I’m not pro-China. I am pro-Filipino. I am pro-Philippines but a friend of China. If China initiated friendship with me, who am I to reject it? They were the ones who reached out to be friends with us, right?” Pastor Apollo added.
It’s worth remembering that recently, the Chinese Coast Guard used water cannons against the Philippine coast guard and two boats delivering supplies to soldiers stationed at Ayungin Shoal.
This has caused tensions to rise again between the Philippines and China regarding the disputed Ayungin Shoal.
Pastor Apollo himself stated that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. referred to the area as a gray area.
“Now, our President Bongbong Marcos himself said that Ayungin Shoal is a gray area. What that means is that many parties claim it, there are five claimants – US, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei. It’s not just one or two claimants. We all claim it because our economic zones overlap,” according to the good Pastor.
According to Pastor Apollo, it’s better to focus on Philippine territory.
“So, in disputed waters, it’s disputed. Let’s not be hasty in claiming it; it’s not yet final. But our final territory is the Philippines. This is very clear – Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, it’s clear,” he said.
Pastor ACQ questions gov’t officials’ vocal vs China but silence on foreign military bases
Meanwhile, Pastor Apollo questioned why some government officials, if they are truly patriotic, allow foreign camps to exist in the Philippines.
“If we are patriotic as you say, not only is our territory being contested, we are also offering it, allowing them to enter, letting them establish [military] camps in our territory, which is ours. Now, here’s the thing, friends, it’s our territory, we willingly gave it away, with a happy heart. Are we patriotic or not?”
“That gray area – we’re even facing death because others took it, yet we willingly gave it away. They can come in and out, but we can’t. It’s our land, oh my God, hello,” Pastor Apollo said.
Pastor ACQ questions gov’t officials vocal vs China but silent on CPP-NPA-NDF
Concerning this, Pastor Apollo also questioned the outspokenness of some government officials about the actions of the CCG while being quiet about the violence caused by communist terrorist groups in the country.
“But our brave and capable leaders say nothing about what the CPP-NPA-NDF are spewing. More than 50,000 have been killed by them, not with water; they use bullets, fire, gasoline against our establishments, and so many have died. Here, no one died, they just took a dip, right? That’s all,” he said.
Pastor ACQ highly respects FPRRD for standing up for the country’s interests
Meanwhile, Pastor Apollo reiterated his respect for leaders who don’t submit to foreign nations, like former President Rodrigo Duterte.
“What’s your relationship with him? He’s a president, a president. What’s your relationship with him? Are you being led around by him, controlled by him? If you follow his orders and I voted for you, that’s a different matter; I won’t respect you. That’s why I have great respect for President Digong (Duterte), why? He stood up for us.”
