Palace: Marcos respects China diplomats’ opinions

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February 12, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos respects the “freedom of expression” that Chinese embassy diplomats enjoy in the Philippines amid the heated exchange with Filipino officials who called them out for spreading disinformation about the West Philippine Sea issue.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro made the remarks after the Chinese embassy on Tuesday denounced the resolution approved by the Senate condemning embassy officials for their statements against Philippine officials speaking out on WPS issues.

“The President respects freedom of expression. If China has freedom of expression, so does any Filipino,” Castro said at a briefing yesterday.

“And again, to reiterate the President’s position regarding relations with China: firm but diplomatic,” she said.

She declined to comment, however, when asked whether she sees the condemnation of the Senate resolution by the Chinese embassy a way to silence the chamber. “They have the right after all to speak about what they feel, their sentiment and so does the Senate,” the Palace communications officer said.

In a statement, Chinese embassy spokesman Ji Lingpeng called the Senate resolution a “political stunt” and accused the legislators of repeatedly resorting to “threats” and “intimidation” against Chinese diplomats.

Reacting to the embassy statement, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said it was the Chinese diplomats who were disrespectful and needed rebuke. “Respect begets respect,” Sotto said.

At the House of Representatives, Rep. Leila de Lima chided Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano for taking the Chinese’ side against Philippine Coast Guard spokesman for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela, who had enraged embassy officials after he presented a caricature of Chinese President Xi Jinping at a school forum.

“Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano should know better than to talk down and tell Commodore Jay Tarriela to apologize to China. It is not as if the PCG spox did anything wrong other than do his job of defending the country from Chinese propaganda,” De Lima said.

Another lawmaker, Rep. Perci Cendaña, vowed support for 16 Kalayaan Island local officials banned by Beijing from entering China, including Macau and Hong Kong.

For international relations expert Renato de Castro, the ban on 16 Kalayaan officials was part of a “wolf warrior” tactic of China.

“Yes, we’re seeing aggressive, very offensive wolf warrior diplomacy. Very evident in the actions of new Chinese ambassador,” De Castro said.

Retired senior associate justice Antonio Carpio, meanwhile, said he has accepted Sen. Rodante Marcoleta’s challenge to a “friendly debate” over the KIG issue.

Meanwhile, in an interview with The STAR, oceanographer Deo Florence Onda said he is confident that the fisherfolk in Palawan, where he grew up, are patriotic and ready to fight for the West Philippine Sea.

Onda was a recipient of the Ten Outstanding Young Men award in 2025. — Josiah Antonio, EJ Macababbad, Jose Rodel Clapano