China bans Kalayaan local officials from mainland, Hong Kong, Macau

Local officials of the municipality of Kalayaan have been declared persona non grata by China and have been banned from entering China, including Hong Kong and Macau.

This developed after the town declared Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan persona non grata and banned the diplomat from setting foot in the Kalayaan islands.

In a statement on Tuesday, Chinese Embassy in the Philippines spokesperson Ji Lingpeng said that the move was made “based on the principle of reciprocity,” after Jing was declared persona non grata in Kalayaan.

"The so-called 'Kalayaan Municipality' council of the Philippines adopted resolutions in 2023 and 2026 declaring the Chinese ambassador to be a persona non grata' in the municipality," Ji said.

"Based on the principle of reciprocity, the individuals involved in fabricating the said resolutions are not welcome to enter China (including Hong Kong and Macao)."

The following individuals have been banned from entering China, including Hong Kong and Macau:

• Mayor Beltzasar S. Alindogan
• Vice Mayor Maurice Phillip Alexis S. Albayda
• Councilor Nonelon B. Balbontin
• Councilor Nonie C. Gapuz
• Councilor Roberto M. Asiado
• Councilor Hubert B. Llavan
• Councilor Francis P. Polizon
• Councilor Marilou S. Vales
• Councilor Monico A. Abogado
• Councilor Eugenio B. Bito-onon
• Hermoso A. Ornopia
• Tracylie Shierjun R. Malabayabas
• Arzel E. Belidan
• Vicencio R. Milan
• Allan D. Dellosa
• Mary Cristina J. Lagrosa

In 2023, the local government of Kalayaan declared the then-envoy of China Huang Xilian as persona non grata.

Jing Quan had earlier said that he would immediately depart the country "with immense pride and honor” should he be named persona non grata in the country following the filing of Senate Resolution 256, which denounced the Chinese Embassy’s recent statements against Filipino officials criticizing Beijing. –NB, GMA Integrated News