One of the banners was hung along Quezon Avenue in Quezon City. Johnson Manabat, ABS-CBN News
MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) has ordered intelligence operatives to identify the individual or group behind the controversial red banners spotted in pedestrian overpasses with the message “Welcome to the Philippines, Province of China.”
‘Philippines, Province of China’ banners hung in parts of capital
PNP spokesperson Senior Supt. Benigno Durana, Jr. on Friday said they are investigating the motive behind the act.
“Naglunsad ng isang investigation and intelligence ang PNP para tingnan kung sino ba ang indibidwal o grupo na may pakana ng gimmick na ito,” he said.
“Sino ba sila, ano ang kanilang alliance whether political, their alliances tinitingnan po natin yan, ano ba motive nila, what are they trying to achieve.”
Durana said they are looking at several possible motives.
“Now we have people, going around overt and covert intelligence effort para po makita natin kung ano talaga ang motivation vis-a-vis ito ba ay ginagawa nila in relation to the upcoming SONA or in relation to upcoming election or in relation to our geopolitical interest, South China Sea. So tinitingnan po natin. We are holding our judgment,” he said.
“But initially ang nakita natin na parang it seems, attempting to embarrass the government dahil nga po nakita natin na there’s a huge political shift,” he added.
Durana said the persons who posted the tarpaulin banners have liabilities especially because Quezon City has a local ordinance prohibiting littering.
He said the perpetrators face a corresponding case especially since the government was put in a bad light. He did not cite specific criminal charges.
The PNP is now reviewing CCTV footage and interviewing witnesses in areas where the banners were placed.