The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) assures that the Philippine government will not tolerate "acts or threats of violence" following the recovery of caskets bearing anti-Chinese messages in different parts of Metro Manila on Friday.

"While the Philippines upholds the right to freedom of expression, the DFA emphasizes that this right does not extend to threats of violence or acts that endanger the safety and security of others. Such actions do not reflect the Philippine government's approach to conducting its foreign relations, nor do they represent how Filipinos express criticism or dissatisfaction, even on sensitive political matters," the DFA said in a statement.

"The Philippine government reaffirms that it takes seriously its duties and obligations concerning the safety and security of foreign nationals and officials in the country, including those arising from the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations," it added.

The DFA also announced that the agency "is closely coordinating with law enforcement authorities, who are taking the necessary steps to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine accountability for this reckless act."

In a separate statement, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said that the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) has ordered a comprehensive probe on the abandoned caskets.

"This cowardly act will not be left unpunished. NCRPO will ensure that the identity of those who are behind these acts will be uncovered and criminal cases will be filed upon completion of the investigation," it stated.

Based on the initial investigation of the NCRPO, five caskets were abandoned in Sta Cruz, Manila; Barangay 54 in Caloocan City; Barangay South Triangle and Barangay Sta Teresita in Quezon City; and in Gil Puyat, 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, 2026," it stated.

In another statement, the Quezon City Police District said that the caskets recovered from the two barangays of their city "were found to contain only crumpled papers".

According to the QCPD the banners attached to the caskets bore the messages: “CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY (CCP) GREEDY! SALOT” and “GREEDY SALOT.” Robina Asido/PHS