DFA backs PH officials defending the country's sovereignty

Defying China's warnings and protests, the Department of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday expressed its full support for "publicly elected officials and government institutions" defending the Philippines' sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction.

"Differences between States are best addressed through established diplomatic channels rather than public exchanges," the DFA said in a statement following a strong warning from a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman that certain Philippine officials spreading disinformation would "pay the price."

China's embassy in Manila said it also filed diplomatic protests against Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela for his social media posts criticizing Chinese leaders.

Beijing had also called out Filipino lawmakers who were critical of China's aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea, a part of the South China Sea that is also being claimed by Beijing as part of their territory.

In 2025, China announced sanctions against former Filipino senator Francis Tolentino and barred him from entering the mainland and its special.administrative regions, such as Hong Kong and Macau, citing "egregious conduct on China-related issues." 

"The DFA affirms its support for publicly elected officials and government institutions performing their lawful duties in defense of Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction," the DFA said.

"In firm and consistent fashion. the DFA will continue to articulate the Philippines' positions on the West Philippine Se: and the South China Sea, which are grounded in international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award," it added.

Relations between the two Asian neighbors plunged to its lowest in recent years after Chinese Coast Guard, Navy and suspected maritime militia ships have used high-pressure water cannons and dangerous maritime maneuvers to Philippine ships or vessels China has accused of entering its territorial waters illegally.

An arbitral tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands in 2016 nullified China’s massive claim over the resource-rich South China Sea, including areas within the waters that fall under Manila’s territory. —AOL, GMA Integrated News