MANILA — Senator Erwin Tulfo filed a resolution on Monday, October 19, urging the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to recommend declaring Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan as persona non grata following his controversial statement that Beijing could easily triumph if force is employed against the Philippines.
Filed as proposed Senate Resolution No. 739, the measure led by the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations vice chairperson highlights that Jing’s comments “raised serious concerns over the propriety of diplomatic conduct and its implications for Philippine sovereignty and national security.”
Stressing that bilateral ties “must be anchored on mutual respect, constructive engagement, and peaceful dialogue,” Tulfo pressed the DFA to initiate the declaration to safeguard national dignity and state sovereignty.
The diplomatic friction stems from a video shared by Philippine Coast Guard Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela, capturing Jing during an interview where he stated, “If we want to use force, we may easily win. But no, we will not use force. You know, we love peace, and in this region, we enjoy the peace.”
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. responded by announcing plans to summon the Chinese envoy, noting that the remarks “sounds very much like a threat” and qualified them as “not a very diplomatic statement to be made.” The DFA subsequently summoned Jing on Monday to deliver the country’s official protest and strong objections.
Meanwhile, the Chinese Embassy previously questioned whether calls from lawmakers for such diplomatic sanctions amounted to “threat or coercion.”