The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has raised “serious concerns” with the Chinese Ambassador and the Chinese Embassy over what it described as an escalation of public exchanges between Chinese diplomats and Philippine legislators and officials.
In a statement issued Monday (January 26), the DFA said the Department “made firm representations” to the Chinese side regarding recent public back-and-forth involving the embassy and lawmakers, including Senator Risa Hontiveros, Senator Kiko Pangilinan, Senator Erwin Tulfo, and other government officials.
“We reiterate our previous statements affirming support for our officials to perform their lawful duties in defense of Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction,” the DFA said.
It added that the views of these officials, “as well as those of disagreeing voices, are an inescapable part of the robust plurality of ideas that animate our democratic society.”
The Department stressed that open debate is consistent with Philippine democratic practice, but emphasized the need for restraint in the conduct of public discourse between the two countries.
“At the same time, while the Philippines values debate on our differences in national positions, the Department recognizes the need for sober, professional and respectful exchanges in the public sphere,” the DFA said.
“Such is not contradictory to the national interest,” it noted.
According to the agency, the tone and manner of public statements matter, particularly as Manila and Beijing continue to manage tensions in the maritime domain.
“The Department believes that circumspection in language and actions is necessary so that the exchanges between the two sides, especially in the public domain, do not and will not unnecessarily derail the diplomatic space needed to manage the tensions in the maritime domain,” the DFA said.
Despite the tensions, the DFA pointed to areas where cooperation remains possible, including “establishing formal communication channels between the two coast guards,” developing “scientific cooperation on ocean meteorology,” and reinvigorating trade, investment, agriculture cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges.
The statement underscores Manila’s effort to balance a firm defense of sovereignty and democratic processes with the need to keep diplomatic channels open with Beijing.