Senator Kiko Pangilinan on Saturday challenged Chinese Ambassador to Manila Jing Quan to personally respond to statements issued by Philippine officials on the West Philippine Sea, calling it an act of “cowardice” for senior embassy officials to rely on subordinates when issuing official remarks.
The senator’s challenge came after a deputy spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy released a statement defending Beijing’s position and criticizing Pangilinan, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela, and other officials who have condemned China’s aggressive actions in the disputed waters.
Pangilinan said he would only engage once the ambassador himself or the official spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy publicly addressed the matter.
“When the Chinese Embassy spokesman himself finds the courage and chooses to be brave enough to say what he has instructed his deputy to say, instead of hiding comfortably behind his deputy, I will respond,” Pangilinan said in a post on X.
He added that it was “an act of cowardice to have a subordinate speak on his behalf,” stressing that Chinese officials should face criticism directly rather than deflecting it through junior officers.
“Better yet, let the brave ambassador himself speak up,” Pangilinan said.
The senator further argued that China’s actions reveal insecurity despite its projection of strength.
“Bully nations are insecure and cowardly states, hiding behind hapless subordinates while pretending to be strong,” he said.
Pangilinan has long been a vocal critic of Beijing’s activities in the West Philippine Sea, consistently urging China to respect Philippine sovereignty, international law, and the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated its sweeping claims over the contested waters.