A Facebook post made by a certain Noel Landero Sarifa questioned why presidential aspirant Leni Robredo will supposedly hand over the nation’s internal affairs to US President Joseph “Joe” Biden if ever a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) report alerts the Philippines that China is set to attack the country.
The post shows a caricature of Robredo, with the quote “Ibibigay ko kay Pres. Biden ang report” superimposed. There is missing context in the post.
CLAIM:
Leni Robredo will hand over PH’s internal affairs to US President Joe Biden if China decides to attack the contested islands in the West Philippine Sea.
RATING:
Missing context
FACTS:
During DZRH’s Bakit Ikaw? Presidential Interviews on February 2, the host asked a hypothetical question about what a president should do if an official of the CIA hands an intelligence report that would show that some 300 Chinese maritime militia ships are set to attack Pag-asa Island in five days.
Robredo answered in detail, saying that she will first make sure that the Armed Forces of the Philippines, as well as the fisherfolk in the West Philippine Sea, are equipped and capable to handle the threat. She also cited the Mutual Defense Treaty with the US, stating how in a scenario where there is aggression from external forces, the US should extend aid to the Philippines.
In response to the host’s follow-up question about what she would tell President Biden if they meet in a closed-door meeting, she said she will hand Biden the CIA report and remarked that she would likely not have to remind him of the Mutual Defense Treaty. Robredo did not explicitly say she will hand over the reins of the Philippine government to the US under such a hypothetical situation.
WHY IT MATTERS:
As of writing, the Facebook page of Noel Landero Sarifa has 153,513 likes and 160,112 followers. The post, which bears a time stamp of February 3 at 2:11 AM, now has over 3,200 reactions, 453 comments, and 734 shares. – Lyka Naranjo & Philip Mateo
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