"ARJAY BALINBIN/BUSINESS WORLD: Sir, another question. Sir, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen is calling for international support to defend Taiwan’s democracy amid threats from China. How will the Philippine respond to that?
"SEC. PANELO: It's between the two countries. Tayo ang concern natin ay iyong OFWs. Kapag medyo may problema doon arising out of that conflict, saka tayo kikilos for the safety of our OFWs.
"ARJAY BALINBIN/BUSINESS WORLD: So we are not going to express support for Taiwan?
"SEC. PANELO: Eh sa ngayon hindi natin kasi alam eh. Hayaan mo na muna sila.
"ARJAY BALINBIN/BUSINESS WORLD: We are friends with China, will we support Taiwan?
"SEC. PANELO: Depende.
"ARJAY BALINBIN/BUSINESS WORLD: Depende on what, sir?
"SEC. PANELO: I think I would leave the response to the proper authority – the Secretary of Foreign of Affairs. That is his turf.
"ARJAY BALINBIN/BUSINESS WORLD: Paano pong depende? Depende sa alin, sir?
"SEC. PANELO: Hindi, ang ibig kong sabihin is hindi ko na sasagutin iyan kasi kay Secretary Locsin iyan.
"[off mic]
"SEC. PANELO: Eh may policy tayo ng ano eh… so palaging consistent with that policy.
My comment: the first reply of Secretary Panelo includes: "Tayo ang concern natin ay iyong OFWs. Kapag medyo may problema doon arising out of that conflict, saka tayo kikilos for the safety of our OFWs."
(a) A typical headline from news media of the Philippines: PH won’t meddle in China-Taiwan tiff - Palace.
(b) The first reply of Secretary Panelo includes: "Tayo ang concern natin ay iyong OFWs. Kapag medyo may problema doon arising out of that conflict, saka tayo kikilos for the safety of our OFWs."
(i) It is Tagalog. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tagalog_language
(is one of two official languages alongside English)
(ii) Google Translate may convert "Filipino" (no Tagalog) into English: "Our concern is your OFWs. If there is a problem with that out of that conflict, then we will act for the safety of our OFWs."