Hontiveros urges DFA: Act on Chinese Embassy’s ‘attacks’ vs PH officials

Senate Deputy Majority Leader Risa Hontiveros has called on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to respond to what she described as attacks by the Chinese Embassy in Manila against Philippine officials defending the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

In a letter dated January 19 addressed to Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, Hontiveros cited a recent social media post by the Chinese Embassy that she said “publicly attacks and maligns” Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela.

The senator asked the DFA to clarify whether it has made any representations to the Chinese Embassy regarding the post and similar previous statements, and whether the agency considers such actions consistent with the Embassy’s obligations under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

She also sought to know what measures the DFA intends to take to ensure that foreign diplomatic missions in the Philippines respect the limits of diplomatic conduct and refrain from targeting Filipino officials.

“Binabastos na nga ng Tsina ang ating karagatan, binabastos pa ang mga opisyal natin,” Hontiveros said.

“We must not allow the Chinese Embassy—or any embassy, for that matter—to disrespect public servants who are simply defending what is rightfully ours. I expect the DFA to take this matter seriously,” she added.

In her letter, Hontiveros stressed that the Philippine foreign service has consistently upheld the principle that disputes between states should be addressed through established diplomatic channels, not through public pressure campaigns directed at individual officials.

She warned that allowing such actions to pass without response “risks normalizing foreign interference and undermining the dignity of Philippine institutions, as well as the safety of those tasked with defending the country’s national interests.”

Hontiveros also took aim at the Chinese Embassy’s response, accusing it of portraying itself as a victim despite Beijing’s actions in the West Philippine Sea.

“Masyado namang pa-victim ang Chinese Embassy,” Hontiveros said.

“It is their country that fires water cannons at our personnel, threatens our fisherfolk, and destroys our marine environment. We, Filipino public servants, will continue to speak the truth—and if that hurts their fragile egos, so be it,” she added.

In response, the Chinese Embassy in Manila defended its recent statements against criticism, saying it has the right to respond to what it described as attacks and defamatory remarks against Chinese leaders.

In a statement, the Chinese embassy in Manila addressed Hontiveros, pointing out that it was Tarriela who was disrespectful by allegedly "attacking and smearing" the Chinese leader.

“Under such circumstances, China has every right to defend itself,” the statement said.

The embassy also took issue with what it called Hontiveros’ “ridiculous” logic, accusing her of believing that criticism against China should go unanswered.

“You seem to believe you are free to attack and smear others, while denying them the right to respond or defend their legitimate interests,” the statement read.

The Chinese Embassy stressed that while it may not be able to stop individuals from spreading what it described as falsehoods, it has the right to correct the record and present what it called the basic facts.

“As an embassy, we have every legitimate right to defend ourselves, tell the truth, present the basic facts, and ensure the public clearly understands China’s position and voice,” it added.

China earlier lodged diplomatic protests against Tarriela over his social media posts criticizing Beijing’s actions, although the PCG official said his statements were based on “factual accounts.”

The Chinese Embassy in Manila had accused Tarriela of posting images online that “attack and smear Chinese leaders.”

Tarriela rejected the accusation, saying his posts were neither “smears” nor “slanders” but factual accounts supported by video footage, 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 a rules-based order and international law,” Tarriela said.

Tensions persist as China claims nearly all of the South China Sea—a major global trade route—despite overlapping claims by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines, declaring that China’s expansive claims had “no legal basis.” Beijing has refused to recognize the ruling.—MCG, GMA Integrated News