President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is adopting a “firm with diplomacy” approach amid rising tensions between Philippine and Chinese officials over the West Philippine Sea (WPS), Malacañang said Thursday.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier cautioned against proposals to declare certain Chinese diplomats persona non grata.
Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Marcos is closely coordinating with DFA Secretary Tess Lazaro and wants the government’s response to remain firm yet measured.
“Puwede naman pong magkaroon ng firm action with diplomacy,” Castro told reporters in a Palace briefing.
The exchange of words follows public criticism from Chinese embassy officials in Manila directed at Philippine authorities, including Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela, and lawmakers opposing Beijing’s incursions.
China has repeatedly carried out aggressive maneuvers, water‑cannon incidents, and disrupted resupply missions within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
Despite the 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling under UNCLOS invalidating its sweeping claims, Beijing continues to assert sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea.