MANILA, Philippines — “Don’t fret.”

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. gave this advice to the public in a Twitter post on Sunday, after photos were posted on social media showing Chinese flags being sold at Rizal Park, also known as Luneta, in Manila in celebration of Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day.

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“Don’t fret. They will be selling the US flag on Philippine-US Friendship Day as well,” Locsin said, responding to a netizen who shared a screenshot of a Twitter post regarding the said sale.

“Hindi pwede ito…blurring our identity in front of the Rizal monument (Rizal died fighting for us),” the netizen wrote.

Locsin added that the tarpaulins with the Mutual Defense Treaty written on them would also be sold.

“Plus tarpaulin with the text of our Mutual Defense Treaty which threatens World War III when either party has been attacked by any country not invited to [the] party,” he added.

Don't fret. They will be selling the US flag on Philippine-US Friendship Day as well; plus tarpaulin with the text of our Mutual Defense Treaty which threatens World War III when either party has been attacked by any country not invited to da party. — Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) June 9, 2019

Meanwhile, Muntinlupa Rep. Rozzano Rufino “Ruffy” Biazon noted Republic Act No. 8491, which declares May 28 to June 12 as National Flag Days where Filipinos are encouraged to display Filipino flags.

“Ironically, a foreign flag is being sold right in Luneta Park where a major Independence Day event will be held in a few days. Luneta Park administrators, wake up!” Biazon, chairman of the House Committee on National Defense and Security, said in a tweet.

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R.A. 8491 prescribes National Flag Days from May 28-June 12 which enjoins everyone to display the Philippine Flag. Ironically,a foreign flag is being sold right in Luneta Park where a major Independence Day event will be held in a few days. Luneta Park administrators, wake up! https://t.co/ARSliCN8Bp — Ruffy Biazon (@ruffybiazon) June 9, 2019

Biazon, however, retracted his comment later on after discovering that Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day was being celebrated.

“Saw this just now…begging indulgence for my earlier post about the flags being sold in Luneta. There is a reason for it, this shows. Happy Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day!” Biazon said in another tweet.

(Editor: Alexander T. Magno)

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