Chinese ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian should be immediately expelled from our country and declared “persona non grata,” if proven guilty in the alleged wiretapping of the Chinese Embassy on officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), according to Senator Francis Tolentino.
Tolentino said the international community should call out the Chinese diplomatic official’s brazen act of defying Philippines and international laws.
“This desperate tactic employed should be stopped as they proliferate false information against our officials, thereby affecting our national security,” the senator said.
Tolentino was referring to recent reports that Chinese embassy officials were engaged in wiretapping activities after publishing a transcript of conversation between the ambassador and the chief of the AFP Western Command (WesCom) on the alleged “new model” for dealing with the Ayungin Shoal.
The senator said this is illegal and China should formally apologize to the Philippines, waive diplomatic immunity, and let them face the consequences of their inappropriate actions.
This is pursuant to Articles 9 and 42 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic and Consular Relations.
As an alternative, the chairperson of the Senate Special Committee on Philippine Maritime and Admiralty Zones, said the Philippines should consider recalling our ambassador to China.
National Security Adviser Eduardo Año stressed those responsible for violating Philippines laws and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, and for the malign influence and interference operations, must immediately be removed from the country.
On Tuesday, Tolentino called on the Senate National Defense committee chaired by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada to investigate the alleged wiretapping of the Chinese Embassy on the AFP WesCom.
In filing Senate Resolution 1023, Tolentino emphasized that since wiretapping is a very important and sensitive matter, Philippine authorities should take appropriate actions to determine the extent of China’s interference in some of our critical infrastructure that may undermine our national security.
It shall further provide remedial measures to minimize the consequences if it cannot prevent a recurrence of the same incident.
Last May 7, China has threatened to release the transcript and audio recording of an alleged phone conversation that occurred last January 3 between Chinese officials and Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos, chief of the AFP WesCom, where the latter allegedly agreed to a “new model” in handling resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre.
The recording allegedly discussed the “new model” of conduct in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) that purportedly received consent from Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. and AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner, Jr.
On the same day, the Department of Foreign Affairs issued a statement emphasizing that only the President can approve or authorize agreements entered into by the Philippine government on matters pertaining to WPS and South China Sea.
According to Tolentino, a lawyer, it is unlawful for any person not authorized to represent official parties to any private verbal and non-verbal communications to tap any wire or cable or use any other device to secretly overhear, intercept or record such communications.
