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DILG urged to investigate Phl-China sister city ties
The Freeman
|July 10, 2025
Some lawmakers have called on the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to investigate sister city agreements between Philippine and Chinese local governments, citing national security concerns.
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House Resolution 39, filed on July 9, seeks to have the DILG review sister city agreements with China and recommend changes to the policies that govern such arrangements.
Several cities and local government units in the Philippines have established sister city agreements with Chinese counterparts, subject to the oversight of the DILG.
Davao City, for example, has agreements with Tai'an City, Jinjiang City in Fujian province, Nanning City in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and the municipality of Chongqing.
Other Philippine cities and provinces with sister city ties to China include Baguio, Manila, Cebu, Quezon City, Lipa, Nueva Ecija, Leyte, Albay and Laguna.
Mention of influence operations
The resolution specifically directs the DILG to evaluate potential risks of “malign interference and influence” in cities and provinces across the country.
This story is from the July 10, 2025 edition of The Freeman.
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