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MANILA, Philippines — After days of trading barbs with some Philippine officials, Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan expressed his wish yesterday for de-escalating tensions during a courtesy call on Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
At a briefing, Remulla said it was the topic he and Jing discussed when the latter paid him a visit.
The China travel ban on 16 officials of the Kalayaan Municipality in Palawan was not discussed during the meeting, Remulla said.
“We mainly talked about how to de-escalate the tensions between the two countries, and a lot has to do with cultural exchanges,” Remulla said.
He said they also discussed cooperation on the peace and order situation in the country.
In support of the officials in Kalayaan, Remulla said he intends to visit the municipality sometime in March or April.
As this developed, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesman on maritime affairs Rogelio Villanueva urged the Chinese embassy to be respectful and to act in a calm and professional manner in its statements.
“While indeed the embassies have the duty to respond, the DFA urges that such responses be made in a calm and professional manner, conscious of the mutual respect that must prevail in all diplomatic interactions,” Villanueva said in a video statement.
He said the DFA values “candid and vigorous debate with its foreign counterparts on important issues consistent with the Philippines’ democratic tradition,” and reminded China to be “constructive in its statements towards a healthy dialogue despite major differences with a view to advance the overall bilateral relationship.”
In response, the embassy insisted its statements were made in a “calm, professional and constructive” manner to “defend the national interests and dignity of China.”
“We urge the Philippine side to speak with a unified and constructive voice and hope the DFA to play a constructive role in leading the efforts to manage differences and advance the overall bilateral relationship,” the embassy said.
Silent but annoying
It also said Senate President Vicente Sotto III and his colleagues were the ones being rude. But Sotto would rather shrug off the embassy’s renewed rant.
“When someone triggers you to react and you do not, it’s annoying!” Sotto said in a Viber message to reporters yesterday. “I prefer to be annoying!”
Sen. Raffy Tulfo, at a briefing, accused China of being onion-skinned when its coast guard and maritime militia are the ones harassing Filipino vessels and fisherfolk and making baseless claims in the South China Sea.
For his part, Sen. JV Ejercito said the Senate would not be intimidated by the embassy, as he asserted that the senators “in unison” were “standing up for what is right.”
He also told Jing that instead of being hostile to Philippine officials, he should “foster and improve the camaraderie and relationship between the two countries.”
“He hasn’t been here for two months since he assumed, and he’s very hostile. It’s not improving our relationship with China, which is damaged because of the West Philippine Sea situation,” Ejercito said. “Instead of dousing cold water to the fire, he’s adding fuel to the fire.”
Meanwhile, a ranking Philippine Army officer said China may have unintentionally recognized the country’s rights over Pag-asa Island by declaring its officials persona non grata.
“By banning 16 Filipino officials, China unintentionally reminds everyone that Kalayaan has elected officials and functions as a Philippine municipality,” Army Training Command commander Maj. Gen. Michael Logico said.
“Thus, reinforcing our effective occupation and governance,” Logico added in a social media post, referring to the principle or rule of effective occupation as among the legal basis for the country’s claim over Pag-asa Island where a Filipino community thrives.
Kalayaan officials earlier declared Chinese embassy officials as unwelcome or persona non grata which the embassy and Beijing reciprocated by also banning the local officials from mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau.
‘Heroes of Kalayaan’
At the House of Representatives, members of the so-called West Philippine Sea bloc have filed a resolution seeking to declare the people of Kalayaan, Palawan as “Outstanding Filipinos of 2026.”
Led by Akbayan Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula, House Resolution No. 780 was introduced by Akbayan reform bloc Representatives Chel Diokno, Percival Cendaña, and Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao; along with Albay District 1 Rep. Cielo Krisel Lagman and Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima.
The resolution formally commends 16 local government officials for their “courage, vigilance, and unwavering commitment” to Philippine sovereignty.
“This early in the year, the courage and patriotism shown in the actions of the people of Kalayaan are worthy to be hailed as Outstanding Filipinos of the Year,” Ismula said in a statement.
“The heroes of Kalayaan have courage than the Tsinador. They are the ones that we need to emulate,” Ismula said.
Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, for his part, expressed his admiration to Philippine Coast Guard-West Philippine Sea spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela who continues to speak out against China’s bullying in the West Philippine Sea despite being shamed by pro-China politicians.
Villegas praises Tarriela
In his Facebook account, Villegas posted an open letter addressed to Commodore Tarriela.
“I personally admire your fearless defense of our maritime zones, sovereign by international and domestic law. Many of our people depend on the sea’s bounty—God’s gifts now threatened by China’s encroachments,” said Villegas.
“Despite shaming from pro-China politicians, your stand safeguards God’s people and future Filipinos,” he said.
“We salute your principled statesmanship and fidelity to oath,” he added.
Tarriela said he is determined to maintain his firm and vocal stand against China’s actions in the WPS.
Villegas said the Church teaches that every person has “the natural right to be recognized as a free and responsible being,” with freedom protected for the common good.
The prelate also clarified that his comment on the WPS issue “is not merely political but profoundly pastoral, affecting present and future generations’ well-being.”
“China has seized vast seas, bullied fisherfolk from traditional grounds with water cannons on frail bancas, injured our personnel, and militarized islands near our shores—violating our right to peace,” he said. – Jose Rodel Clapano, Evelyn Macairan, Michael Punongbayan, Marc Jayson Cayabyab,Pia Lee-Brago
