China on Thursday accused Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela of engaging in “provocative” actions over his public statements and social media posts.
In a question-and-answer material posted by the Chinese Embassy in Manila, Beijing questioned who was “stirring up trouble” in the South China Sea and referred to the 2016 arbitral ruling as the “so-called South China Sea arbitration.”
They alleged the PCG official that he had repeatedly “hyped maritime-related issues,” “confused right and wrong,” and “incited confrontation,” accusing him of using terms such as “coercion,” “illegal,” and “aggression” to describe China’s actions and of posting materials that supposedly “smear” Chinese leaders.
The embassy claimed these actions infringed on China’s “political dignity” and amounted to “blatant political provocation.”
The remarks come amid persistent maritime tensions in the said area where Philippine authorities have reported repeated incidents involving Chinese vessels, including water cannoning, dangerous maneuvers, and close-range encounters. Philippine officials have consistently maintained that these incidents occur within areas covered by the country’s exclusive economic zone and are documented to ensure transparency and public accountability.
The National Maritime Council (NMC) on the other hand supported the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in addressing what it called “unfounded and misleading claims” regarding developments in WPS.
“The Philippine Government’s position remains clear and consistent: we are guided by truth, transparency, and the rule of law in upholding our maritime rights and interests,” the NMC said, stressing that these rights are grounded in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and affirmed by the 2016 Arbitral Award.
The council underscored the importance of accurate, evidence-based public discourse, noting that documented facts obtained through “lawful, transparent, and professional means” are central to national maritime policy and to informing the public.
It also emphasized that engagements with other states are conducted at the institutional and state levels through established diplomatic and legal channels, and should not be driven by rhetoric, misinformation, or attempts to inflame public sentiment.
“The Philippines does not seek provocation or escalation,” the NMC said. “Our approach is measured and responsible: to protect our people, uphold our sovereign rights and maritime entitlements, and pursue peaceful resolution of disputes through lawful and diplomatic means.”
