Chinese teachers reportedly leave PH amid security concerns
The Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. has confirmed reports that Chinese volunteer teachers left the Philippines due to rising safety concerns.
The sudden departure left local Chinese-language schools scrambling to adjust, with several institutions notifying parents on Thursday that classes would temporarily move online and will be covered by substitute teachers.
In a statement sent to PhilSTAR L!fe, the group explained that the recall came at the request of the teachers' families in China—a decision allegedly influenced by reports from Ray Powell, executive director of the Stanford-affiliated maritime monitor SeaLight.
"The volunteer Chinese teachers were recalled to China upon the request of their respective parents and with approval of FFCCCII and Chinese Embassy. The parents were concerned about the articles written by Ray Powell attacking Chinese-language schools in the Philippines," said FFCCCII, which serves as the nationwide umbrella organization for over 170 Filipino-Chinese trade and business groups.
Back in March, the retired US Air Force colonel warned that China's alleged influence operations in the Philippines extend beyond the West Philippine Sea and into Chinese-language media, schools, and other institutions. He said SeaLight's investigations were focused on identifying areas where the Chinese government exercises significant control over messaging and resources.
"Beijing's goal is not to merely to control the reefs and shoals of the West Philippine Sea, it is to convince the people of the Philippines to stop resisting, to accept Chinese control as a permanent fact of life," he said during a forum.
The Chinese Embassy Manila, however, rejected the claims surrounding the teachers' departure.
"We firmly reject the baseless accusations and strongly denounce the malicious smear campaigns targeting educational and people-to-people exchanges between China and the Philippines, including Chinese-language education in the Philippines," they stated in an Oct. 2 statement.
The embassy highlighted how educational and people-to-people exchanges have played an important role in "promoting friendship between the two countries and fostering mutual understanding between the two peoples."
"For decades, Chinese-language teachers coming from China to the Philippines have helped the Filipino people understand the language and Chinese culture, serving as a bridge between China and the Philippines," they said.
"We believe those malicious rhetoric and actions against China-Philippines people-to-people exchanges by certain individuals have no place in the Philippines and time-honored friendship between the Chinese and Filipino peoples will continue to stand," they added.
The embassy urged the Philippines to "ensure that the safety and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese nationals in the Philippines are safeguarded."
The recall also comes days after Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. raised concerts that academic partnerships involving China could potentially be used to gather information and establish a foothold in the Philippines.
Relations between the Philippines and China have been marked by longstanding disputes over the West Philippine Sea, with the former continuing to assert its maritime rights under international law.
L!fe has reached out to the Department of Foreign Affairs for comments on the issue, but has yet to received a response.
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