KORONADAL CITY, SOUTH COTABATO — President Duterte’s special assistant blamed Friday the President’s critics for the banners welcoming visitors to the Philippines as a “province of China.”

The banners hanged on several footbridges in Metro Manila on Thursday.

Bong Go, who attended the opening of South Cotabato’s T’nalak Festival and the 52nd foundation anniversary celebration here, told reporters President Duterte was aware of the banners as he already saw on television reports.

The banners that read “Welcome to the Philippines, Province of China” made their appearance in time for the second anniversary of The Hague’s ruling that invalidated China’s claim to nearly all of South China Sea.

It is not clear who is behind the hanging of the banners but Go put the blame on President Duterte’s critics as well as those opposed to the administration.

“It’s the handiworks of opposition and critics out to destroy the good relationship of Philippines and China,” he said.

President Duterte has been criticized for his soft stance on the dispute with China. However, before his term ends, he promised to bring up the arbitral ruling with China.

Earlier, President Duterte joked in one of his speaking engagements that China could include the Philippines as its province.

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