The Filipinos Do Not Yield (FDNY) Movement and allied groups are calling for Chinese diplomats to be declared "persona non grata" amid what they described as continued "harassment and bullying" by China against Filipino officials and fishermen.
The call was raised during a protest attended by at least 200 rallyists who gathered outside the Chinese Embassy in Makati City on Wednesday, January 28, as reported by RH Jecelle Ricafort.
FDNY convenor Giselle Albano said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. should not ignore similar initiatives raised in the Senate regarding the issue.
According to Albano, Chinese officials have consistently downplayed and deflected accusations of intimidation and aggression against both government forces and Filipino fisherfolk.
She stressed that while China may be attempting to intimidate government officials, ordinary Filipinos are growing increasingly fearful of the possible consequences of such actions.
Albano emphasized that it is the duty of government officials to defend the truth, national sovereignty, and the country’s interests against what she described as China’s aggressive behavior.
The group also condemned several politicians, columnists, and individuals whom they accused of continuing to defend China despite what they called its blatant bullying and disrespect toward Philippine government officials.
"Lumalakas na ang boses, nagkaroon na ng tagas persona nan grata. Ngayon po ang grupo namin mananawagan na huwag patulugin ang persona non grata na isyu sa mga Chinese diplomat," Albano said.
Earlier, Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III raised the possibility of declaring a Chinese Embassy official in Manila "persona non grata" following continued attacks against Philippine officials critical of China’s actions in the (WPS).
This comes after 15 senators signed a proposed Senate Resolution No. 256 condemning the criticism of the Chinese Embassy in Manila against certain Filipino government officials and institutions who criticized Beijing’s aggressive actions and defended the country's sovereignty.
