The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) stated on Monday that it has made “firm representations” to the Chinese Ambassador and Embassy regarding serious concerns over escalating public exchanges between the Chinese Embassy and Philippine legislators.
In a statement, the DFA reiterated its commitment to supporting Philippine officials as they perform their lawful duties to defend the country’s sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction.
“Their (senators’) views, as well as those of disagreeing voices, are an inescapable part of the robust plurality of ideas that animate our democratic society,” the statement read.
This statement follows recent public exchanges between the Chinese Embassy in Manila and various Philippine legislators, including Senators Risa Hontiveros, Kiko Pangilinan, Erwin Tulfo, among others.
While the DFA values debates over national positions, it emphasized the need for sober, professional, and respectful public discourse—an approach that aligns with national interests.
The DFA stressed that cautious language and measured actions are crucial to ensure that public exchanges between the Philippines and China do not hinder diplomatic efforts to manage maritime tensions.
It added that maintaining a constructive diplomatic environment is also essential for cooperation in non-sensitive areas, such as establishing formal communication channels between the coast guards, developing scientific collaboration on ocean meteorology, and enhancing trade, investment, agriculture partnerships, and people-to-people interactions.
In January alone, the Chinese Embassy made several Facebook posts criticizing Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela and Senators Pangilinan, Hontiveros, and Tulfo.
Earlier, Hontiveros urged the DFA to take action against what she described as public attacks by the Chinese Embassy on Philippine officials, who defend the nation’s stance in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
On January 21, the DFA expressed its support for officials and institutions lawfully defending Philippine sovereignty in the WPS.
This statement followed a warning issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry on January 19 directed at “certain uniformed service members” in the Philippines, urging them to cease spreading alleged misinformation about China.
On January 16, The Chinese Embassy announced it had filed a diplomatic protest against the Commodore Tarriela, due to social media posts that they claimed were “attacking and smearing Chinese leaders.”
In response, Tarriela said his comments were not “smears” or “slanders,” but factual accounts supported by video evidence, photographs, official PCG reports, and observations from third parties, including satellite imagery and statements from other nations.
On January 23, the Chinese Embassy confirmed that China’s Foreign Ministry had summoned the Philippine ambassador to Beijing over what it termed “inflammatory and misleading” remarks made by Tarriela.
