Sen. Erwin Tulfo on Monday urged Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan to voluntarily return to China rather than wait for the Philippine government to declare him persona non grata.

“Unahan niya na. Why wait for persona non grata? Just go home,” Tulfo said on Oct. 19.

His remarks came after the Chinese Embassy in Manila issued a statement Sunday expressing frustration over calls by some Philippine politicians to declare the Chinese envoy persona non grata, a diplomatic measure that can require a diplomat to leave the host country.

“Some anti-China politicians talked about declaring the Chinese ambassador persona non grata (PNG),” the embassy said in its online statement.

It added that for the past 30 years, what it described as “anti-China forces” had repeatedly used the same move to threaten the embassy.

“We are fed up with these old and low tricks. If they really want to do something, do it quickly and immediately, please,” the statement read.

The embassy also warned of possible reciprocal action, saying China would not welcome Philippine officials to its territory if Manila proceeded with such a move against the Chinese ambassador.

“While diplomacy is based on reciprocity, we will not welcome them to China,” the embassy said.

The exchange comes amid calls from some Philippine politicians to declare Jing persona non grata, a step that would signal the government no longer considers his presence acceptable.