DFA chief threatens to cut ties with Turkey

MANILA, Philippines — A timely visit from the Turkish ambassador has doused Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.’s indignation at an unauthorized meeting in Ankara between Turkish officials and leaders of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

“I met w/ Turkish Amb. Artemiz Sümer to clear up the misunderstanding. We both agreed to continue to coordinate all engagements with BARMM together. I reaffirmed to my good friend Amb. Sümer that my affection for Turkey has only increased w/ the swift resolution of this issue,” Locsin said on Twitter. He did not say where the meeting took place.

Earlier yesterday, Locsin threatened to initiate a severance of the Philippines’ diplomatic ties with Turkey in response to what he called an unauthorized meeting that violated Philippine sovereignty.

In a Twitter post, Locsin said BARMM chief minister Murad Ebrahim meeting with Turkish leaders without securing permission from the national government was a violation of the country’s territorial integrity and unity.

“Firing a diplomatic protest against Turkey; study charges vs. Filipino BARMM officials involved. If not repudiated by Ankara NOW I propose breaking diplomatic relations. A slap at Philippine sovereignty and an attack on our territorial unity and integrity. Reek$ of $ellout,” he said.

His Twitter post included a photo of what appears to be a memo that listed a series of events related to the meeting between Ebrahim and Turkish deputy ministers for foreign affairs, officials from the Turkish Coordination and Cooperation Agency, Office of the President for Turks Abroad and Related Communities, and the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority.

The DFA’s Office of the Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Concerns, according to Locsin’s Twitter post, initially recommended the postponement of the meeting.

“The OEA (Office of European Affairs) requested the Turkish embassy in Manila for the meeting’s postponement but due to the situation then, the department’s efforts were in response to fait accompli,” the post said.

It also noted that Philippine Ambassador Raul Hernandez was only invited to the meetings following the DFA’s request for an invitation.

The OEA has received unofficial information that Turkish officials had “thought it was OK” to invite Murad to official meetings in Ankara.

In August, Locsin said foreign governments are not allowed to give monetary donations or extend assistance to the BARMM unless approved by the DFA.