NATIONAL Security Adviser Eduardo Año on Friday echoed the call of Defense Secretary, Gilberto Teodoro Jr. for the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to investigate the possible criminal liability of the Chinese Embassy following claims that they hold vital evidence proving the “new model” claim of Beijing.
The Embassy has said that they have a recorded voice conversation between Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos and a Chinese diplomat linking the Philippine Navy official to China’s new model claim.
We join Secretary Gilberto Teodoro in his call for the Department of Foreign Affairs to take appropriate actions against individuals in the Chinese Embassy who claim to have recorded an alleged phone conversation between a Chinese diplomat and a military official for violating Philippine laws, particularly the Anti-Wire Tapping Act, as well as for serious breaches of diplomatic protocols and conventions,” Año said in a statement.
He also said the repeated acts of spreading false information and committing to malign the factual information by releasing such transcripts and recordings of conversations must be dealt with serious penalties.
The Chinese Embassy's repeated acts of engaging in and dissemination of disinformation, misinformation, and malinformation now releasing spurious transcripts or recordings of purported conversations between officials of the host country should not be allowed to pass unsanctioned or without serious penalty," Año said.
We emphasize that the unmistakable objective of the PRC (People’s Republic of China) embassy in its indiscriminate releasing of these falsehoods and smears have been, and continues to be, to sow discord, division, and disunity between and among the Filipino people," he added.
The National Security Adviser also believes that doubtless, these are serious breaches of the basic norms of international relations and diplomacy by the Chinese embassy.
Bypassing official and long established channels and protocols, talking to officials without the requisite authorities or bona fides, then maliciously claiming that alleged discussions should bind the Philippine government is farcical, foolish, and reckless, Año stressed.
He also said the individuals in the Chinese Embassy responsible for violating Philippine laws and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, and those responsible for these malign influence and interference operations must be removed from the country immediately.