By Alec Go
Malacañang on Tuesday (May 4) said Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. has issued an apology to the Chinese ambassador for demanding that Chinese vessels leave Philippine waters in an expletive-laden tweet.
Speaking at his regular public briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the Philippines’ top diplomat personally apologized of his own volition, and was not ordered to do so by President Rodrigo Duterte. Roque added that Locsin told him that the words he used in the tweet were a result of his losing his temper.
“Kami ay nagkausap ni Sec. Locsin at ipinaalam niya sa akin na personal siyang nag-apologize sa Chinese Ambassador, at ang mga nabanggit niyang salita ay dahil sa mga bagay-bagay na naging dahilan para uminit ang kanyang ulo,” he said.
Locsin clarified in a tweet later that day that it was to the Foreign Minister that he made his apology.
“Hindi sa Chinese ambassador,” he wrote. “Trabaho niya ay tumanggap ng reklamo o insulto. Kay State Counselor Foreign Minister Wang Yi, ang pinakamatalino at personableng diplomat sa buong mundo. Harry understands my hair-trigger temper under repeated provocation.”
Hindi sa Chinese ambassador. Trabaho niya ay tumanggap ng reklamo o insulto. Kay State Counselor Foreign Minister Wang Yi, ang pinaka matalino at personableng diplomat sa buong mundo. Harry understands my hair-trigger temper under repeated provocation. https://t.co/Q96yjqMYEB
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) May 4, 2021
In another tweet, he wrote that the apology was made to China’s top diplomat and “nobody else.”
“I won’t plead the last provocation as an excuse for losing it; but if Wang Yi is following Twitter then I’m sorry for hurting his feelings but his alone.”
I won’t plead the last provocation as an excuse for losing it; but if Wang Yi is following Twitter then I’m sorry for hurting his feelings but his alone. It’s been my elusive dream to copy until I attain in mind and manner the elegance of Wang Yi. His opinion alone matters. He… https://t.co/LgvHujxzYc
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) May 4, 2021
“That’s right. I suddenly realized my friendship with Wang Yi was on the line so I tweeted my concern about our friendship. That must continue. He’s my idol in diplomacy,” Locsin added.
That’s right. I suddenly realized my friendship with Wang Yi was on the line so I tweeted my concern about our friendship. That must continue. He’s my idol in diplomacy. (I think his idol and mine is Lavrov.) I add Mike Pompeo. Blinken is emerging as a force in his own right. https://t.co/w6t3jGf9R9
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) May 4, 2021
On May 3, Locsin asked China’s vessels to leave Philippine waters and questioned this incident’s impact on the friendship of the two countries.
China, my friend, how politely can I put it? Let me see… O…GET THE FUCK OUT. What are you doing to our friendship? You. Not us. We’re trying. You. You’re like an ugly oaf forcing your attentions on a handsome guy who wants to be a friend; not to father a Chinese province … https://t.co/KTv1TOQvN7
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) May 3, 2021
In his briefing on Tuesday, Roque said cursing is not welcome in matters concerning diplomacy.
“Itong mensahe ng ating Presidente ay walang lugar ang pagmumura…lalong-lalo na sa sensitibong larangan ng diplomasya,” he said.
The Philippines filed another diplomatic protest on May 3 against China for “shadowing, blocking, dangerous maneuvers, and radio challenges by the Chinese Coast Guard of Philippine Coast Guard vessels conducting legitimate patrols and training exercises in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc on April 24 to 25, 2021.”
It also protested the “incessant, illegal, prolonged, and increasing presence” of Chinese fishing and maritime militia vessels in Philippine waters.
The statement also stressed that the Philippines “rejects the statement of [the] Spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs” that their country “enjoys sovereignty over Bajo de Masinloc.”
Meanwhile, Malacañang clarified that differences between the two nations regarding the disputed territories will not define bilateral relations and will not hinder cooperation on pandemic response.
It also claimed that no new reclamations and refurbishments were established by China on the artificial islands during the administration of President Duterte.
Chinese foreign ministry spox stands by claim
In a statement released on the afternoon of May 4, China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said Huangyan Island or Scarborough Shoal and its adjacent waters are under China’s jurisdiction.
It also asked the Philippines to “earnestly respect China’s sovereignty and jurisdiction, and stop taking actions that may complicate the situation,” adding that “megaphone diplomacy can only undermine mutual trust.”
“We hope that certain individual from the Philippine side will mind basic manners and act in ways that suit his status,” Wenbin said, in response to the controversial remarks of Locsin.
“Just as Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said, the differences and disputes between the two countries on some issues should not affect the overall friendship and cooperation, which is also an important consensus reached by China and the Philippines on many occasions,” he added.
Moreover, China assured its commitment to “properly handling differences and advancing cooperation with the Philippines through friendly consultation.” It added that it will continue to support the Philippines in the current health crisis and economic recovery. -jlo
