Gibo warns Pinoys of being brainwashed while in China

MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. cautioned Filipinos against being “brainwashed” during their trips or vacations in China.

He said there is nothing wrong with visiting China, but he warned of being fed wrong information or misled to believe false narratives.

“Yes, go to China,” Teodoro said in a Facebook post yesterday, apparently reacting to reports on a surge of visa applications by Filipinos wanting to visit China.

“Enjoy the beautiful culture but do not, do not be brainwashed,” said the DND chief, who has been banned from entering Chinese territory along with his family because of his unwavering stand against China’s illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive activities in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Senators hit over China trip questions

This developed as the camp of Vice President Sara Duterte criticized senators for grilling a defense witness over his trip to China, saying the issue was “irrelevant” in the ongoing impeachment trial.

Duterte spokesman Paolo Panelo said the senators’ line of questioning on Davao City assessor Jaime Adalin was “improper.”

“Even if he travels to China 10 times, that doesn’t change the fact that the property, which the prosecution said was not declared, which is covered by the transfer certificate of title ending in 0775, was actually declared in her statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN),” Panelo said.

He noted that Adalin was subpoenaed to testify on the Barangay Matina Crossing property in Davao City.

“Then he will be asked for details of a trip to China that he may have forgotten about already, those details. So, I think it was unfair for him to be pressed on those questions. Like, it was also a bit insulting,” Panelo said.

Senators had questioned Adalin on the apparent discrepancies in the declared values of Duterte’s properties. They brought up Adalin’s trip to China in an effort to test his credibility. — Bella Cariaso