The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has appointed former naval and Coast Guard officer Rogelio Villanueva as its new spokesperson on maritime affair.

Villanueva, a Philippine Military Academy graduate of 1994, has nearly 15 years of experience in the Foreign Service.

He previously served in the Philippine Embassy in Lisbon as Third Secretary and Vice Consul, in the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver as Consul, and in Frankfurt as Consul and Deputy Consul General. He holds a master’s degree in Maritime Administration from the World Maritime University.

The appointment comes as the Philippines and China continue a heated exchange over territorial claims in the South China Sea, which Manila refers to as the West Philippine Sea. 

Last month, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Philippine Ambassador Jaime FlorCruz to protest statements by Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela criticizing China’s maritime actions.

The DFA said it has raised “serious concerns” with the Chinese Embassy over the escalation of public statements, warning that the ongoing “word war” could derail diplomatic efforts.