MANILA — Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Representative Leila de Lima has urged Beijing to pull its forces out of Philippine territory, strongly condemning recent remarks from Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan that China could easily defeat the Philippines militarily but opts for peace instead.
De Lima asserted that Jing’s comments essentially project a threatening narrative demanding gratitude from Filipinos for restrained aggression. She dismissed the diplomatic messaging as deceitful, arguing that it contradicts Beijing’s actual behavior in the West Philippine Sea.
“The latest statement of Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan basically says ‘We are stronger, so be grateful that we don’t use our might to crush you’. This is absolutely the language of a liar and an invader who lacks sincerity in promoting peace,” De Lima stated.
The senior deputy minority leader underscored that despite the disparity in military capability, the Philippines holds a globally recognized legal triumph affirming its sovereign rights, and she warned that Beijing understands the severe international backlash that would follow any armed aggression.
“They may be mightier, but the world knows who has already won in our fight for sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea. And they know the consequences if they resort to using force against us,” she added.
The lawmaker challenged Beijing to prove its stated commitment to peace through tangible actions, specifically by halting continuous harassments against local fisherfolk and respecting Philippine maritime boundaries.
“If they truly love peace, then they should get out of our territory and stop harassing our countrymen and depriving our fishermen of their livelihoods. Sila itong nanggugulo, nanghihimasok at nangangamkam ng teritoryo,” De Lima remarked.
Concluding her statement, De Lima maintained that intimidation tactics will not succeed in breaking the resolve of the Filipino people to protect their national heritage.
“But being a bully, China will not stop threatening us. We will also keep defending what is ours. Wag nga nila tayong sindakin, dahil hindi pasisiil ang mga Pilipino,” she emphasized.
The Chinese ambassador’s controversial remarks were made during a public engagement on Thursday, where he claimed:
“If we want to use force, we easily win, but no. We will not use this force, and we love peace.”