Metro Manila, Philippines – The government affirmed its support with the country’s officials and institutions after the Chinese foreign ministry told public servants to stop “making provocations” or else “they would pay the price.”
The development came as Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun on Monday, Jan. 19, said Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson (PCG) Jay Tarriela has “maliciously spread disinformation” on China and “wantonly smeared China’s image.”
China has filed a diplomatic protest against Tarriela over remarks and social media posts they accused of attacking Beijing’s leadership.
But recently, the Chinese embassy in Manila has been challenging specific officials in the Philippines through Facebook posts.
“The DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) affirms its support for publicly elected officials and government institutions performing their lawful duties in defense of Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction,” the agency said in a statement on Wednesday, Jan. 21.
“The DFA reiterates the differences between States are best addressed through established diplomatic channels rather than public exchanges,” it added.
Guo has also said that some uniformed service members “repeatedly made outrageous and absurd statements, in a habit of inciting confrontation.”
“Such behavior is despicable,” the Chinese official said. “A word of advice to relevant individuals in the Philippines: immediately stop making provocations and stop confusing right and wrong, or they would pay the price for what they did.”
The Chinese embassy in Manila has posted on Facebook messages directed at Tarriela, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, the PCG, and the National Maritime Council.
Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, Akbayan party-list Rep. Chel Diokno, and ML party-list Rep. Leila de Lima were also not spared.
For its part, the DFA said it will continue to articulate the country’s positions on the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, grounded in international law.
China does not recognize the 2016 arbitral award that dismissed Beijing’s expansive claims in almost the entire South China Sea.
