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The Philippine government has issued a clarification following the appearance of anti-Beijing caskets in Manila, dispelling concerns that the country may be embarking on a conciliatory stance towards its Southeast Asian rival. On Tuesday, officials said the caskets were a product of a private funeral service provider that had been hired to transport the deceased from various parts of the country to Manila for burial purposes.
“We do not condone threats of violence against any country, including China,” the Philippine government said in a statement. “The presence of the caskets was merely a case of a private company’s creative expression, and not a reflection of the Philippines’ official stance on its relations with any country.”
Last week, photographs of caskets bearing anti-Beijing messages and emblems began circulating on social media. The caskets were subsequently identified as being part of a batch of 30 being transported to Manila’s Loyola Memorial Park for burial. The messages on the caskets included phrases such as “China out of Philippines” and “We do not want China’s friends.”
The development has been seen as a worrying sign of growing tensions between the Philippines and China, which has long been locked in a territorial dispute over the South China Sea. The conflict has resulted in frequent clashes between Filipino and Chinese vessels in the disputed waters.
Malacañang officials have sought to diffuse the tensions, reassuring the public that the country’s relations with China remain cordial and diplomatic. “We continue to maintain good relations with China,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said in a statement.
The Philippines has traditionally been a close ally of the United States, and has long been a vocal critic of Chinese expansionism in the South China Sea. In recent years, relations between the countries have been strained, particularly in the wake of China’s construction of military facilities in the disputed waters.
Despite the tensions, Manila and Beijing have maintained active trade relations and engage in diplomatic talks on various issues, including territorial disputes and human rights. While the government’s clarification on the anti-Beijing caskets is seen as an effort to maintain balance in its relations with China, the presence of the caskets has raised concerns about growing tensions and potential violence in the region.