Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Domagoso ordered authorities on Sunday to find a Chinese national who allegedly defecated in a large flower pot within the historic Intramuros district.
In a photo captioned in a post made by a certain Ron Alvarado on the Facebook page “I love Tacloban”, it said: “A Chinese national was seen defecating in one of our country’s most historical sites, Intramuros.”
Upon checking by the media, Manila Public Information Office (PIO) chief Julius Leonen said Domagoso has already given the order for the manhunt of the unidentified Chinese, although the photo posted on Facebook was still unverified as of Sunday afternoon.
“Regarding the photo—No verified report,” said a message from the Intramuros Administration (IA) forwarded by Leonen to reporters.
“We are trying to get in touch with the one who posted this but he is not responding,” said the IA.
“We are concerned that instead of calling attention of the (security) guard who is posted there if true, the one who posted it is using this for anti-Chinese sentiment. We checked the site, it’s clean and no waste seen on site—From IA Administrator,” the message added.
Leonen said there is no confirmed report yet. “Allegedly defecating, since no confirmed report yet from IA,” he said.
“Pero a manhunt has already been ordered,” said Leonen, referring to Domagoso’s order.
Chinese tourists have been criticized for their behavior at tourist sites across the world. A few months ago in Boracay, a Chinese woman was accosted for leaving her child’s dirty diapers on the world-renowned island’s powder-fine white sand beach.
But the Philippines has seen a huge influx of Chinese immigrant workers under the Duterte administration, with their presence heavily felt in the offshore gaming, business process outsourcing, and even construction industries.