MANILA — Surigao del Norte 2nd District Representative Robert Ace Barbers tagged as possible “propaganda” the claim of Russian President Vladimir Putin that the United States brought nuclear-capable missiles to the Philippines.

• EDCA sites make PH a 'target' of US foes: UP professor

Barbers believes the claim is connected to the dispute between China and the Philippines regarding the West Philippine Sea.

“This could probably be a propaganda (for) the Chinese who's playing victim dito and we should not fall into this trap,” he said.

“Kung kaibigan ko si Putin at nakikinig siya ngayon, sasabihin ko sa kanya, uy, punahin mo naman ‘yung West Philippine Sea pag-aagaw ng China. ‘Yun ang punahin mo. Huwag mo kami punahin dito. Kami, we know our limitations. Our Constitution does not allow the use of nuclear ammunitions in this country. Very clear. We are all following the provisions of our Constitution,” Barbers said.

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On Tuesday, a state university professor also claimed that Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites are compromising the Philippines’ sovereignty and making it a target of attacks by the United States' geopolitical rivals.

EDCA sites make PH a 'target' of US foes: UP professor