The rhetorical duel between the Philippines and China shows no sign of abating as Manila continues to express displeasure over Beijing’s ongoing release of confrontational statements targeting Philippine legislators and other government officials.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed Monday that it has made “firm representations” to Chinese Ambassador to Manila Jing Quan, conveying “serious concerns” over the embassy’s continued public criticism of Senators Risa Hontiveros, Kiko Pangilinan, Erwin Tulfo, among others.

The DFA said that while it acknowledged China’s differing views with the Philippines, especially on issues affecting national interest, it emphasized the importance of communicating them through diplomatic channels in a “professional and respectful” manner.

"The Department believes that circumspection in language and actions is necessary so that the exchanges between the two sides, especially in the public domain, do not and will not unnecessarily derail the diplomatic space needed to manage the tensions in the maritime domain," the DFA stated.

The statement followed the Chinese embassy’s ongoing series of social media posts openly calling out Philippine officials over maritime issues in the South China Sea.

The embassy, among others, expressed offense over Philippine Coast Guard West Philippine Sea spokesperson Jay Tarriela’s alleged “smear” and “provocative” remarks against President Xi Jinping.

As part of the protest, China last week summoned Philippine Ambassador to Beijing Jaime FlorCruz, urging the Philippines to stop “turning a blind eye” to and “tolerating” Tarriela’s alleged orchestration of a “smear campaign” against Chinese leaders, particularly Xi.

Beijing accused Tarriela of “making inflammatory, confrontational, misleading and baseless remarks against China on maritime issues,” which it described as “unacceptable.”

The latest protest came just a week after an earlier one triggered by Tarriela’s January 14 Facebook post.

The post featured Tarriela presenting an AI-generated satirical photo of Xi bearing the text “Why China remains to be bully?” during a forum at De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde.

The Chinese Embassy said Tarriela’s “malicious” social media posts against China have been a recurring issue, arguing that the particular post constituted a “blatant political provocation” that had “crossed the red line.”

The DFA, however, reiterated that it stands with Philippine officials and government institutions performing their lawful duties in defense of Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction.

“Their views, as well as those of disagreeing voices, are an inescapable part of the robust plurality of ideas that animate our democratic society,” the DFA said.

The Philippines and China have long been embroiled in a maritime dispute over the South China Sea, which overlaps with the West Philippine Sea.

China has persistently asserted jurisdiction over the West Philippine Sea, notwithstanding a 2016 arbitral ruling that deemed Beijing’s expansive claims over the entire South China Sea invalid and baseless.

The landmark decision affirmed the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea.

Despite a pact to de-escalate tensions in the region, China has remained aggressive toward the Philippines through the use of water cannons, military-grade lasers, and missile deployments against Philippine troops and vessels.