Wearing your loyalties

Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan managed to accomplish something remarkable last week. He reminded Filipinos, in the bluntest terms possible, exactly why relations with Beijing remain so difficult.

Asked about the tensions between China and the Philippines, Jing said: “If we want to use force, we may easily win. But no, we’ll not use force. We love peace.” How reassuring.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) called the statement a “thinly veiled threat for the use of force,” unusually sharp language from an institution whose job normally involves sanding the rough edges off international disputes.

President Marcos himself said the remark sounded very much like a threat. Senator Risa Hontiveros demanded an apology and sought Jing’s recall or expulsion, while Senator JV Ejercito called for China to replace him. Ten members of the House made a similar appeal. All perfectly understandable reactions.

Because whatever context Jing now insists was missing, there is something profoundly inappropriate about an accredited ambassador reminding his host country that his government could easily defeat it militarily, then insisting that everyone focus their attention only on the part where he says China “loves peace.”

That is not diplomacy. That is basically saying: Be grateful we have decided not to beat you up.

And then somehow, things got worse. Instead of lowering the temperature, the Chinese Embassy doubled down. When Filipino lawmakers pushed back, the embassy taunted them to “stop bluffing.” Later, after several legislators sought Jing’s recall, it posted an even more ominous message: “Put on record. You are now on the list.”

And what list is that, pray tell?

That sort of language would already be troubling coming from some anonymous troll page.

Coming from the official diplomatic mission of a foreign government, addressed to elected Philippine officials exercising their constitutional functions, it is simply outrageous.

The DFA was right to summon Jing. Diplomacy requires restraint, particularly from someone who is literally a guest in this country. An ambassador is here to keep channels open, not to threaten the host, ridicule its officials and maintain mysterious “lists” of elected lawmakers who have annoyed him.

Yes, cooler heads should prevail. Nobody benefits from an uncontrolled diplomatic spiral. But de-escalation cannot mean meekly accepting humiliation.

What is equally striking is the silence of Vice President Sara Duterte and several of her political allies, who are usually never short of things to say. A number of observers have already noticed this.

This silence is especially awkward given the unresolved allegations now being investigated concerning Chinese funds flowing into entities linked to Duterte and her husband. Those allegations remain precisely that, allegations. But when the Chinese ambassador publicly talks about how easily his country could defeat ours, surely a few words defending Philippine dignity should not be a tough ask.

You do not need to support Marcos. You do not need to agree with Hontiveros. You certainly do not need to hate China.

You simply need to remember which country elected you.

And perhaps that is the larger political lesson here. China, the West Philippine Sea, foreign influence and the willingness of our leaders to stand up when Philippine dignity is openly challenged should be front and center in 2028.

Because when a foreign ambassador threatens our country, the silence of one of our supposed leaders truly speaks volumes.