PCG Spox Jay Tarriela feuds with Chinese Embassy

The Chinese Embassy in Manila on Sunday again took aim at Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela

On a Facebook post, the embassy stated "If there weren't people like Jay Tarriela who lies, sows discord, and incites hatred every day, China-Philippine relations would be much better."

The latest post adds to an ongoing social media exchange between Tarriela and the Chinese Embassy over the West Philippine Sea dispute.

Tarriela, who was designated as the PCG's spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea in February 2023, has consistently spoken out against China's activities in waters claimed by the Philippines.

The online exchanges date back to January 2025, when the Chinese state-run publication Global Times questioned Tarriela's reports on the presence of China Coast Guard (CCG) Vessel 5901 about 100 kilometers (54 nautical miles) off Capones Island. Tarriela maintained that the vessel's presence within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone was illegal and accused China of promoting "a distorted version of the truth."

In July 2025, Tarriela criticized another Global Times editorial discussing the maritime dispute, saying, "We are standing up for what is rightfully ours, as Filipinos have every right and duty to do."

The exchanges intensified after Tarriela criticized the CCG's assistance to a distressed Filipino fisherman, prompting Chinese Embassy Deputy Spokesperson Guo Wei to accuse him of spreading misinformation in a Facebook post that mocked the PCG official.

Since then, the embassy has repeatedly published posts criticizing Tarriela's statements on the West Philippine Sea, while the PCG spokesperson has responded by accusing China of undermining Philippine sovereignty and spreading disinformation.

In January this year, Tarriela condemned the embassy's criticism of Philippine senators, calling it "a direct challenge to our sovereignty." The following month, Guo defended the embassy's online posts, saying, "When you have the freedom to attack us, we certainly have the right to defend ourselves," while accusing Tarriela of harming bilateral relations.

The back-and-forth continued in April, May, and June, with both sides exchanging accusations of misinformation and interference over developments in the West Philippine Sea.

Most recently, Tarriela marked the 10th anniversary of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award with a post on X stating, "Happy 10th Anniversary Satin."

Hours later, the Chinese Embassy responded with another Facebook post directly naming Tarriela, accusing him of "lying, sowing discord, and inciting hatred" and claiming that relations between China and the Philippines would be better without figures like him.

The two sides remain engaged in a public war of words across social media platforms.