

MANILA, Philippines – The Embassy of China stood firm on the travel ban imposed on former Senator Francis Tolentino, even after its ambassador was summoned by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
In a statement released via Viber to reporters, it mentioned that its envoy, Huang Xilian, notified the DFA of China’s decision to impose sanctions on the former Philippine lawmaker, emphasizing that “for quite some time” and “driven by selfish interests”, a handful of anti-China politicians in the Philippines have made “malicious remarks” and moves on issues related to China that are detrimental to its interests and to China-Philippines relations.
“The Chinese government is firmly resolved to defend national sovereignty, security, and development interests,” the statement read.
The Embassy also reiterated China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ earlier statement that Tolentino was sanctioned due to his “egregious conduct on China-related issues.”
The statement stressed that issuing sanctions “fall purely within China’s legal prerogative, and there are consequences for hurting China’s interests.”
DFA summoned the Chinese Ambassador to convey the Philippines’ concern over China’s imposition of sanctions against former Senator Tolentino, it said in a statement on Tuesday.
According to the statement, “the DFA conveyed to the Chinese side that, while the imposition of such sanctions falls within China’s legal prerogative, the imposition of punitive measures against democratically elected officials for their official acts is inconsistent with the norms of mutual respect and dialogue that underpin relations between two equal sovereign states.”
When asked by reporters when was the Chinese envoy summoned, the DFA confirmed that Amb. Huang Xilian “was summoned last Friday.”
The Department reminded the Chinese Ambassador that as a democracy, the Philippines values freedom of expression.
“In the Philippines’ adherence to the constitutional separation of powers among the three branches of Government, it is the mandate of Senators and other elected officials to inquire on matters of national and public interests,” emphasized the DFA.
Meanwhile, in a statement released by the former senator, Tolentino acknowledged the sanctions imposed on him by China, calling it a “badge of honour”.
“I acknowledge the sanctions imposed on me by China for defending the rights, dignity, and sovereignty of the Filipino in the West Philippine Sea,” Tolentino posted on his Facebook page on Tuesday.
“This sanction is a badge of honour and a testament to my unwavering commitment to protect our national interest and our people’s dignity,” the statement read.