The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday made “firm representations” to the Chinese Ambassador and the Chinese Embassy, expressing serious concerns with the recent escalation of public exchanges between the Chinese Embassy and certain Philippine lawmakers.
In a statement, the DFA reiterated its previous statements affirming its support for Philippine officials “to perform their lawful duties” in defense of Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction.
The officials mentioned in the statement are Senators Risa Hontiveros, Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Erwin Tulfo and “other government officials.”
The DFA also mentioned that views, as well as “disagreeing voices” are an inescapable part of what it called a “robust plurality” of ideas that animate the democratic society.
“At the same time, while the Philippines values debate on our differences in national positions, the Department recognizes the need for sober, professional and respectful exchanges in the public sphere. Such is not contradictory to the national interest,” the DFA said.
The DFA also called for “circumspection in language and actions” as necessary, especially in the public domain, with the aim of not derailing the diplomatic space needed to manage the tensions in the maritime domain and constructively collaborate in the non-sensitive areas of cooperation, such as in establishing formal communication channels between the two coast guards, developing scientific cooperation on ocean meteorology, and reinvigorating our trade and investment ties, agriculture cooperation, and people-to-people interaction.
Tensions escalated between the two countries after a recent incident in the West Philippine Sea, when Chinese Coast Guard, its Navy and suspected militia vessels, used “high-pressure water cannons” and “dangerous maritime maneuvers” against Philippine ships accused by China of entering its territorial waters.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila also accused a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) official of increasing tensions by issuing statements regarding China’s leadership and reiterated its stand on the 2016 Arbitral Ruling on the South China Sea, calling it “illegal, null and void.”
