Marcos wants 'firm action with diplomacy' amid West PH Sea row

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is aware of the ongoing verbal war between Philippine and Chinese officials over the disputed West Philippine Sea (WPS), Malacañang said Thursday.

According to Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro, Marcos wants to resolve the issue with "firm action with diplomacy."

"Aware po siya, at nakikipag-usap din po siya kay DFA Secretary Tess Lazaro. At ang aking nabanggit na sinasabi nating polisiya, iyon po ang sinasabi ng Pangulo," Castro said.

(He is aware and is in communication with DFA Sec. Lazaro. The DFA's stance reflects his policy on the issue.)

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in a statement provided to Castro, said declaring a foreign official persona non grata is "an option of last resort," adding it is one of the most severe forms of diplomatic action that can be imposed by the government against foreign diplomatic personnel.

"While it is within the remit of the DFA, such an action is an option of last resort, second only to downgrading of relations when diplomatic relations with the certain country have seriously fractured that no intervening remedy can stabilize the interaction and engagement," Lazaro said.

"It also carries tremendous implications moving forward such as reciprocal action or other countermeasures in other areas which is why it should not be made lightly, and decided only with careful and clear thought and preparedness for how it will shape the Philippines’ strategic interest moving forward," she said.

Lazaro said the DFA is committed to its mandate and assured it is in direct communication with the Chinese government on various bilateral and international issues.

"It is hoped that the DFA would be provided with ample space to perform its functions and to sort out issues with foreign counterparts through dialogue and consultation rather than through public discourse in accordance with the President’s vision and guidance as the architect of Philippine foreign policy," she added.

The Chinese Embassy and Philippine government officials are embattled in a heated exchange over Beijing’s aggressive actions in the WPS.

On Wednesday, some senators said they are considering filing a resolution that would recommend to the President to declare certain Chinese Embassy officials persona non grata.

This developed days after 15 senators signed a proposed resolution Monday denouncing the recent statements of the Chinese Embassy in Manila against certain Filipino government officials who criticized Beijing’s aggressive actions in the disputed South China Sea.

In response, the Chinese Embassy in Manila said Ambassador Jing Quan will immediately depart the Philippines but "with immense pride and honor," should Marcos Jr. declare him persona non grata.

"If he were to receive such notice from President Marcos, he would depart immediately. But he would do so with immense pride and honor, knowing that through his actions, he has fulfilled the firm commitment a Chinese diplomat makes to his country," the embassy spokesman said. —LDF, GMA Integrated News