Five caskets with anti-China, anti-communist messages dumped around Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines — Unidentified masked men in vans dumped at least five caskets with anti-China, anti-communist messages in Metro Manila before dawn on Friday, August 7, police have confirmed.

The caskets were found in various parts of Metro Manila. The National Capital Region Police Office, in a statement, said these were "intentionally abandoned" in Sta. Cruz, Manila; Barangay 54 in Caloocan City; Barangays South Triangle and Sta. Teresita in Quezon City; and along Gil Puyat Avenue in Makati City.

"The caskets were deliberately abandoned by perpetrators wearing masks on board gray and white vans at around 2:00 to 4:00 in the morning of August 7," the NCRPO said. 

The caskets contained "anti-CPP-NPA and anti-China messages," the NCRPO added.

One coffin was left in front of the Chinese Embassy in Makati and was found by passersby on Friday morning. Displayed in front of the casket was a red flag with the words "greedy" and "salot (plague)."

No group or individual has claimed responsibility for any of the caskets.

Police are now conducting a probe and reviewing CCTV footage to identify who's behind the stunt, according to the NCRPO statement. 

The Philippine National Police, in a separate statement, said the caskets and other materials found at the scenes have been secured as evidence to establish "their origin, purpose, and whether any laws or local ordinances may have been violated."

DFA treats it as a security threat

The Department of Foreign Affairs swiftly condemned the stunt on Friday.

"The Department of Foreign Affairs does not condone acts or threats of violence against any individual, including foreign nationals or officials," it said in a statement. "Such irresponsible and disrespectful acts cannot be tolerated."

Free expression does not cover threats or acts that endanger others, the DFA said, adding that the caskets do not reflect how the government conducts its foreign relations "nor do they represent how Filipinos express criticism or dissatisfaction, even on sensitive political matters."