China files diplomatic protests vs Tarriela over 'attacks' on Beijing officials

China has lodged diplomatic protests against Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela over social media posts against its leaders but the Filipino official said his statements were based on “factual accounts.”

In a statement on Friday, the Chinese Embassy in Manila called out Tarriela for publicly posting images on social media “attacking and smearing Chinese leaders.”

“This constitutes a serious violation of China’s political dignity and a blatant political provocation, which has crossed the red line,” the Chinese embassy said.

“China expresses strong indignation and strongly deplores this, and has lodged solemn representations with the Malacañang Palace, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Philippine Coast Guard,” it added.

But Tarriela pushed back against the statement of the Chinese embassy, saying that his posts are not "smears" nor "slanders” but factual accounts backed by video evidence, photographs, official PCG reports, and third-party observations.

“My role as Spokesperson for the WPS is to transparently communicate these realities to the Filipino people and the world, in full alignment with our government's commitment to rules-based order and international law,” he said.

“If the Chinese Embassy objects to images or expressions that highlight these violations—often through legitimate public discourse or even satire—it only underscores discomfort with the truth being exposed,” he added.

On Thursday, Tarriela, in a social media post, responded to Chinese Embassy in Manila deputy spokesperson Guo Wei after the Beijing official accused him of making fallacious remarks on the South China Sea issue.

Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.

Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country’s claim.

The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago including Luzon Sea and the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis."

China has refused to recognize the decision.—AOL, GMA Integrated News