LIVID SOLONS WANT JING OUT: Diplomatic row worsens into crisis

The diplomatic row between the Philippines and China escalated Saturday after Beijing’s embassy accused Filipino politicians of distorting its statements, prompting a lawmaker to call for the expulsion of Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan.

The call followed the embassy’s challenge to officials seeking to declare Jing persona non grata, telling them to “stop bluffing.”

The dispute stemmed from Jing’s response to Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.’s description of China as a regional “troublemaker.”

“If we want to use force, we may easily win. But no, we will not choose force and we love peace,” Jing had said, adding that the region should feel fortunate to have China as a neighbor.

In a social media post, the embassy said, “Some senators and House representatives are talking about declaring the Chinese ambassador persona non grata. Is this threat or coercion?”

“But anyway, just do it. Otherwise, STOP BLUFFING,” it added.

After clashing with Teodoro and Philippine Coast Guard Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela, the PCG’s spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Chinese Embassy also took on Filipino legislators it accused of exaggeration.

“Some Philippine politicians should stop thinking they can get what they want by pressuring China,” it said.

“The Chinese people don’t buy it,” it added.

The embassy’s sharp comments stemmed from the reactions generated by the apparent threat in Jing’s remark that Beijing could easily win the territorial conflict if it resorted to force.

Senator JV Ejercito called Jing’s remark flaunting China’s military superiority “aggressive” and “hostile,” saying the envoy should instead work to improve bilateral relations as tensions over the South China Sea persist.

Ejercito and Senator Francis Pangilinan want China to recall Jing. Ejercito posted a video of himself wearing a black shirt with the words “West Philippine Sea” inscribed on it in both English and Chinese characters as he called out, “Ambassador Jing Quan, West Philippine Sea is ours! Go home!”

“The ambassador should only resort to diplomacy,” Ejercito said in a radio interview.

Ejercito said Manila should continue pursuing diplomatic solutions to its dispute with Beijing while strengthening its ability to defend its sovereignty and maritime rights.

He said the Philippines cannot match China’s military strength but it should build a credible defense posture with its armed forces and Coast Guard.

“Our intention is not to match their armed forces because we simply cannot do so, even if we spend decades trying,” Ejercito said.

He urged the Philippines to deepen its security cooperation with the United States, Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand, and expressed the hope that South Korea would take a greater role in ensuring Asian regional security.

He sought to separate his criticism of Beijing’s policies from any hostility toward the Chinese people, saying that he maintained friendships with Chinese nationals and the Filipino-Chinese community.

“What I am against is the expansionist scheme of Xi Jinping and his government,” he said, referring to the Chinese president.

China says open for talks

The Department of Foreign Affairs said Jing’s choice of words appeared to convey a “thinly veiled threat” of force.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday said Jing’s remarks sounded like a threat and warranted a discussion with the envoy. The Chinese Embassy said it welcomed a face-to-face communication.

The Philippines and China have repeatedly clashed over their competing claims in the South China Sea, a major global shipping route. Manila calls the waters west of its archipelago the West Philippine Sea.

In 2016, an international arbitral tribunal in a case brought by the Philippines rejected China’s basis for its expansive claims within its so-called nine-dash line. Beijing rejected the ruling, which Manila continues to cite as it asserts its maritime rights.

Leave Manila

Meanwhile, Senator Pangilinan urged Jing to return to China.

“By way of diplomatic language, you can please easily leave Manila and go back to China. We do not need foreign guests in the form of arrogant, condescending diplomats,” Pangilinan said in a statement.

Akbayan partylist Rep. Perci Cendaña called for Jing’s expulsion, saying he was an arrogant, unwelcome visitor.

“Napakayabang na bwisita,” Cendaña said in a post on X on Saturday. (“What an arrogant pesky guest.”)

“How much longer must we put up with this? The Chinese ambassador should be expelled,” he added.

Lost in translation

The dispute spilled onto social media, and the embassy also criticized PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Commodore Jay Tarriela, over his comments on the controversy.

In a Facebook post, the embassy shared a screenshot of a translated post by Tarriela and accused him of acknowledging that the Philippines had threatened Jing.

“This is a threat. Jay Tarriela admitted it. Key point: You don’t like being threatened. Even when there is no threat, you still create one — but you absolutely love threatening others, including Chinese workers, teachers, fishermen, and diplomats,” the Chinese Embassy wrote in a Facebook post on Saturday morning.

Tarriela disputed the embassy’s interpretation. “Lost in translation, or just consistently lying, Ambassador Jing Quan? Chinongaling!” he replied. (“Liar”)

In his original post, Tarriela criticized Jing for challenging the Philippine legislature after what he described as a threat to the country.