VP Sara backs China's travel warning to students

Vice President Sara Duterte has expressed support for China's recent travel advisory, which cautioned its students about an alleged rise in crimes targeting Chinese nationals in the Philippines.

- By BELLA CARIASO

"They need to issue (travel warning) because the state has the obligation to protect its citizens wherever they may be found, whether it is inside or outside China," Duterte said in an interview in The Hague, Netherlands.

Duterte's statements were in response to an advisory issued by the Chinese Ministry of Education on Friday noting a recent increase in crimes targeting Chinese nationals and the decline in public security in the country.

In the advisory, Chinese students were urged to conduct a thorough safety risk assessment and strengthen their awareness of personal protection when considering studying in the Philippines during this period.

"If there is an incident where it threatens their lives, there is harassment being done, it is necessary to give their citizens warning so that they can prepare and take the necessary steps to protect themselves," Duterte said.