President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. fully supports officials defending the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea as China steps up public criticism of Filipino figures who are vocal against Beijing’s illegal activities.
The Department of Foreign Affairs likewise raised “serious concern” and lodged “firm representations” with Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan over the “escalation of public exchanges” between the Chinese Embassy in Manila and Filipino officials.
A senior official of the think-tank Stratbase Institute also rejected claims by the Chinese Embassy in Manila labeling the Philippines as the “provoker” in the West Philippine Sea as “attempts to invert reality.”
“The facts are consistent and well-documented: it is China’s maritime forces that repeatedly employ coercive and dangerous acts at sea, including water cannons, aggressive maneuvers, and ramming incidents that have damaged Philippine vessels and harmed even Filipino civilians,” Stratbase said.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the President has given clear instructions to government agencies to assert Philippine interests and sovereignty.
“The President himself has said that he will not surrender even a square inch of our territory,” Castro said in a press briefing in Malacañang.
“So, whatever the agencies are doing in pushing for the interest of the country, that’s the President’s order. But we will remain diplomatic,” she said.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila earlier publicly criticized several Filipino officials, including Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela and lawmakers who have spoken out against China’s activities in the WPS.
The DFA said the Philippines values debate on differences in national positions, but underscored the need for “sober, professional and respectful exchanges in the public sphere.”
“We reiterate our previous statements affirming support for our officials to perform their lawful duties in defense of Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction,” the DFA said.
“Their views, as well as those of disagreeing voices, are an inescapable part of the robust plurality of ideas that animate our democratic society.”
Stratbase added calls for “restraint” sound hollow when Chinese maritime forces are reported conducting continued harassment against Philippine ships and fisherfolk whose livelihoods depend on waters international law recognizes within the country’s maritime entitlements.
The think-tank said deescalation begins when coercion ends.
“Peace will not be secured by silencing the victim, but by ending the wrongdoing and upholding the rule of law,” the institute said.
“Stratbase supports dialogue and a meaningful Code of Conduct, but any agreement must be anchored in UNCLOS and consistent with the 2016 Award. Proposals that constrain lawful partnerships, exercises, or resource development are not confidence-building measures; they are attempts to curtail the Philippines’ sovereign choices,” it added.
As this developed, Castro said the government is monitoring reports that foreign entities may be attempting to influence Philippine public discourse, including alleged Chinese propaganda in local media.
She acknowledged concerns raised by the non-profit group SeaLight, which claimed that the Chinese Embassy is allegedly directing Chinese-language media in the Philippines to advance Beijing’s narrative.
“It has long been reported that foreign countries interfere in our politics. We at the PCO, we respect freedom of expression and freedom of speech, but we condemn any disinformation or fake news,” Castro said.
She said the PCO is coordinating with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center (CICC) to verify reports of unlawful or manipulative activities.
In her privilege speech at the resumption of Congress on Monday, Senator Risa Hontiveros warned against interference by the Chinese Embassy in Philippine democratic discourse, stressing that foreign missions are bound by international law to respect the country’s sovereignty.
She said freedom of speech does not give representatives of a foreign government license to intimidate or silence Filipinos on Philippine soil.
Senator Francis Pangilinan said criticisms from China should not distract from the reality that Philippine actions in the West Philippine Sea are defensive and lawful.
“Defending our rights as a nation, in word and in deed, is not provocation,” Pangilinan said.
Tarriela, for his part, criticized what he described as “Filipino trolls” for allegedly amplifying Chinese narratives.
“I’m saddened that there are Filipino trolls. Some of them are social media influencers, while some are fanatics of known politicians. They are being used as puppets in amplifying the Chinese narrative,” Tarriela said.
He said the troll accounts could be operated either by foreigners or Filipinos who are being paid.
