IN a public engagement held on Thursday morning, Sultan Kudarat Governor Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu fumed over Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom Ted Locsin‘s remarks about Palestinian children who he said would grow up to tolerate the actions of Hamas.
In a now-deleted post on X, Locsin said that Palestinian children should be killed because they might grow up to become as gullible as innocent Palestinians letting Hamas launch rockets at Israel, and that, they are Muslims and could stage mass suicide against Hamas until the latter ran out of bullets.
Governor Mangudadatu strongly condemned Locsin’s remarks.
‘‘What Teddy Locsin said, he’s Ambassador, right? He said all Palestinian children should be killed! Because they are Muslims and Hamas will only use them! I said, does it seem like he’s losing his mind? I said maybe we should send him to a mental health facility because it’s wrong to say that children should be killed,’’ Gov. Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu said.
Although Locsin apologized for his tweet, Governor Mangudadatu said that there should be no room for irresponsible statements in the government, especially if it is against the youth.
“My apologies to those who did misconstrue my sentiments and did in fact get triggered — obviously was not advocating for the literal death of anyone, but rather simply for the end of any ideology that condones terrorism in any way, shape, or form,” Ambassador Teddy Boy Locsin, Jr. stated.
‘‘Although he later apologized, when did everything became okay after his apology? Right? So, if I can speak [about this matter] Because he does not deserve to be an Ambassador,’’ Gov. Mangudadatu added.
Gov. Mangudadatu is also calling on Pres. Bongbong Marcos Jr. to remove Locsin from his post, and that he will personally write a letter to the president to request Locsin’s dismissal.
‘‘We are calling the President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos to kick this person out of office. Remove him because he’s an embarrassment. He does not fit to represent the Philippines, he is a disgrace to the Filipino people and he is a disgrace to humanity.’’
‘‘When did killing a child become a joke? Right? It’s very very bad that we have an ambassador like him,’’ according to Mangudadatu.
Mangudadatu challenged Locsin to go to Sultan Kudarat to learn good manners.
Muslim officials in the country are also with the governor in calling for the resignation of Locsin.
‘‘Let’s invite him to come here to Sultan Kudarat and I will teach him that the life of Muslims, the life of Christians, and the life of Lumads, and the life of all people are important, and should be honored and respected,’’ the governor said.