NSC slams China for targeting Philippine officials

MANILA, Philippines – The National Security Council (NSC) on Sunday, January 25, criticized recent public remarks from the Chinese foreign ministry and the Chinese embassy in Manila, calling them inappropriate and harmful to Philippine institutions.

In a statement, NSC spokesperson Cornelio Valencia Jr. said that the remarks, including those appearing to be aimed at specific officials, are “undiplomatic and uncalled for.”

“Public messaging that intimidates, threatens, or seeks to silence Philippine officials performing their lawful duties is inconsistent with the spirit and obligations of diplomatic engagement and clearly violates the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations,” Valencia said.

The statement comes after China targeted Commodore Jay Tarriela, the Philippine Coast Guard’s spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, for his recent remarks condemning China’s harassment in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun on January 21 said the Philippines “has long turned a blind eye” on Tarriela. It added that it is “time for the Philippine side to undo the negative impact as soon as possible and stop tolerating the smear campaign and provocations, lest they disrupt normal diplomatic communication or further harm bilateral relations.”

China is the problem

Tarriela is the latest target as China has recently stepped up its criticism of statements made by Philippine officials.

The NSC reminded China that the Philippines is “a democracy governed by the rule of law” and that public officials are “mandated to inform the Filipino people of developments affecting national security, including activities in the West Philippine Sea.”

Valencia said, “This responsibility does not require approval from any foreign government.”

The NSC also said that China’s continued refusal to respect the historic arbitral award that invalidated Beijing’s so-called nine-dash line, along with its attempts to reinterpret international law to its advantage, is fueling tensions.

“The Philippines will continue to uphold its sovereignty, sovereign rights and
jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea, grounded in international law,” Valencia said.

“We will do so calmly, firmly, and without being distracted by attempts to shift the discussion away from the real issue: unlawful, coercive, and destabilizing actions at sea and in the public space that threaten regional peace and security,” he added. – Rappler.com