By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora/Philippine News Agency
MANILA — A ranking official from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the internal memorandum on foreign governments banning Huawei devices is a routine information relay to relevant government agencies in the Philippines.
“It was just a letter relaying information to other agencies,” DFA Undersecretary Ernesto Abella in a text message, following a report published by online news site Rappler, saying the DFA warned the administration against the Chinese tech giant amid its warming ties with China.
In a prior statement, the DFA denied the published document bears such warning.
“The Department notes the Rappler report stating that the DFA supposedly warned against the risks of partnering with Huawei. This is regrettable as the published document clearly bears no such warning by the Department,” Acting Assistant Secretary Emmanuel Fernandez said in a statement sent to reporters.
“More than anything, the Department is disturbed that a confidential document has been published, and it calls on relevant agencies to investigate the matter,” he added.
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