WPS word war escalates
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS), Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela, and the Chinese Embassy traded sharp remarks on social media over controversial statements by Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan.
The latest exchange began after Tarriela questioned Beijing’s response to Jing’s statement that China could easily win a confrontation with the Philippines if it chose to use force.
In a Facebook post, Tarriela noted that Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning had emphasized Beijing’s position on improving and strengthening relations with Manila rather than directly addressing the ambassador’s remarks.
“Does this mean MoFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) is putting distance between itself and its own envoy?” Tarriela asked.
He further questioned why China’s Foreign Ministry had not explicitly defended Jing if the ambassador’s remarks reflected Beijing’s official position.
“And if they don’t, then who exactly is Ambassador Jing speaking for? Is he a loose cannon that the Chinese Embassy in Manila is now scrambling to reframe?” he added.
The Chinese Embassy responded with a pointed remark: “The ignorant are fearless.”
In another social media post, Tarriela questioned whether the embassy’s statement was directed at its own ambassador.
“My post: Is Jing Quan a loose cannon?” Tarriela wrote
“China Embassy: The ignorant are fearless! Question: Are they referring to Jing Quan? Is he fearless?” he added.
The embassy later issued another response, saying, “Tarriela seems to struggle with understanding fundamental points.”
Law profs, archbishop urge firm stand
A group of Filipino law professors and the head of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan have separately called on the government to defend sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea, one on legal and constitutional grounds and the other on moral grounds.
In a joint “Statement of Philippine Law Professors,” faculty from the University of Asia and the Pacific, San Beda University, the University of Santo Tomas, Mindanao State University and other schools urged President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to “exercise decisive leadership” against what they called continuing Chinese hostility. They said defending the Republic is “not merely a matter of foreign policy” but a constitutional duty.
The professors made three demands. They asked Mr. Marcos to give unequivocal support to National Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. and to Filipino personnel facing Chinese coercion. They also called for “meaningful consequences” for continued unlawful conduct, going beyond diplomatic protests. These could include recalling Philippine diplomats from China and declaring the Chinese ambassador persona non grata “when circumstances and international law warrant.”
Finally, they urged authorities to investigate and prosecute Filipinos who commit crimes in the service of a foreign power, such as espionage, sedition, unlawful disclosure of national-defense information, and propaganda or disinformation that undermines military morale.