At least not an option now, embassy says, as it prefers ‘dialogue, debate’
The Chinese embassy in Manila yesterday raised the possibility of sanctions on Philippine lawmakers even as it said it would not do so for now.
Embassy spokesperson Ji Lingpeng stressed that dialogue and debate should guide diplomatic relations between the countries.
Responding to Chinese suggestions on social media to bar Filipino solons who have been critical of Beijing’s envoys and have asked for their replacement, Ji said sanctions are “not our option. At least not now.”
“This is a debate. They have the freedom to express their views, and we have the freedom to respond. No one should be silenced. Diplomacy is based on reciprocity. Words for words, actions for actions,” Ji said in the statement posted on the embassy’s Facebook page.
Asked to comment on the embassy statement, at least three senators — Sen. Panfilo Lacson, Sen. Risa Hontiveros, and Sen. JV Ejercito — said they would issue a response today.
The Palace spokesperson said it would take up the matter during today’s media briefing.
Amid the diplomatic row, Lacson proposed initiating formal talks between the Senate and the embassy to address issues surrounding the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
After Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan signaled openness to dialogue following a courtesy call on Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Lacson said he would recommend to Senate President Vicente Sotto III that the embassy’s representatives be invited for direct discussions with lawmakers.
“That’s a good opening we should consider, and we should seize the opportunity to initiate talks. It would be better to sit down and discuss properly what needs to be addressed. If the minority wants to join, that would also be fine, and they can send their chosen representative,” Lacson said.
He said the meeting could be held at the Senate, the Chinese Embassy, or a mutually agreed neutral venue to ensure a diplomatic and professional exchange.
Later in the day, the embassy rejected Sen. JV Ejercito’s “wrongful comment” that the Chinese were “bullying” Filipino fishermen and officials, saying the heated exchanges in recent weeks were “provoked.”
Ji emphasized that China’s actions were provoked by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Commodore Jay Tarriela “along with several helpers who have repeatedly and deliberately attacked and smeared China.”
“Not long ago Jay Tarriela also tried to downplay China’s assistance to distressed Philippine fisherfolks and continued his twisted narrative of ‘China bullying the Philippines’ with lies and false claims,” he said.
“Tarriela went so far as to openly insult the Chinese leader during a presentation at a Philippine university before young students. Such conduct crossed the line and constituted violation of China’s political dignity,” he added.
“Facts are plain. Ins and outs are simple. China does not initiate confrontation. China responds only when subjected to attacks,” Ji said, noting the Embassy will “continue to fulfill its responsibilities in accordance with diplomatic norms and firmly safeguard China’s national interests and dignity.”
This came after Chinese social media users urged the embassy to sanction certain Filipino legislators, including banning them and their families from entering China, Hong Kong and Macau, freezing their assets in China, and prohibiting Chinese entities from doing business with them.
Despite the ongoing disputes, Lacson said the Philippines continues to maintain diplomatic ties with China under its One China policy.
He added that Senators Francis Pangilinan and Hontiveros, who have taken strong positions on China-related issues, could join the proposed dialogue, along with Senate foreign relations committee chairman Erwin Tulfo.
“Even if we don’t agree on the territory, at least we can agree on how to conduct the discussion,” Lacson said.
Filipino troops remain unaffected by the “word war” with China as they know their mandate and understand the issue revolving around the WPS, the Philippine Navy said on Sunday.
“‘Yung ating mga kasundaluhan, sapagkat sila ang nasa frontline, kami ang nasa frontline, sila mismo, literal nasa frontline, naiintindihan nila ang mga issues na ito,” PH Navy spokesperson Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad told Super Radyo dzBB.
(Our soldiers understand these issues because they are on the frontline.)
“Hindi naman sila apektado (they are unaffected). They know what they’re doing. They know their mandate,” he said.
Trinidad reminded Filipinos the enemy in the WPS issue is not their fellow countrymen, but “‘Yung nanghimasok sa ating teritoryo” (but those who have intruded into our territory).”
“So, anybody who comes up with a wrong narrative, it is clear it is not the Philippine narrative. Whose narrative is it then? It’s of our adversary, the Chinese Communist Party,” he added.
In the Saturday News Forum, lawyer and WPS expert Jay Batongbacal also said the Philippines had sovereignty over the Kalayaan Island Group not because of the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
“This was established because we acquired it, occupied it, established a municipality on it, not because of the EEZ,” said Batongbacal, executive director of the Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea.
Tensions escalated after Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima reminded Ji that he was in the Philippines, not China, following remarks that hinted at possible economic consequences if diplomatic ties were severely disrupted.
Last week, the embassy warned that major disruptions in relations could have serious economic repercussions, potentially affecting jobs and livelihoods in the Philippines.
The warning followed comments by Sotto, who said he would challenge the embassy’s remarks against him.
Senators Joseph Victor Ejercito and Raffy Tulfo then called for the recall of Ambassador Jing, saying diplomats should work to improve relations.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., however, expressed respect for Beijing’s decision regarding its envoy, with Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro saying the choice to replace Jing rests solely with China.
Last week, the Chinese Embassy announced that 16 officials from the Kalayaan Islands were barred from entering China, Hong Kong and Macau.
Ji said the move was taken “based on the principle of reciprocity,” after the Kalayaan municipal council adopted resolutions in 2023 and 2026 declaring Ambassador Jing persona non grata within its jurisdiction.
On the same day, the Senate adopted Resolution 37, with 15 senators criticizing a Chinese embassy official’s language as unprofessional and saying it undermined mutual respect and non-interference.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “Chinese Embassy rules out sanctions vs. Philippine solons”
