By Gab Villegas | PTV News
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday announced that Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro summoned Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan to convey the Philippines’ serious concern and strong in his public statement on Thursday, Oct. 15, which conveyed a threat of the use of force.
In a statement, the DFA said Secretary Lazaro told Ambassador Quan that his statement was “provocative and unacceptable, and does not contribute to creating understanding.”
Sec. Lazaro also stressed that such language aggravates an already sensitive bilateral atmosphere and undermines the shared efforts of both countries to build mutual understanding and cooperation.
“It is not the place of a foreign mission to publicly criticize or taunt Philippine officials and legislators who are acting within their mandates. As a democracy, the Philippines values freedom of expression and a plurality of voices, and it will not accept attempts by a foreign envoy to intimidate those who exercise them,” the Department said.
Secretary Lazaro emphasized that sensitive issues are best addressed via established diplomatic channels and bilateral mechanisms, which preserves space for dialogue and engagement.
The Department added that they remain committed to candid dialogue and constructive engagement, in line with its mandate and the direction of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
“It will keep open lines of communication with China and work to stabilize bilateral relations, especially in non-sensitive areas, while firmly upholding the country’s consistent positions on important issues,” it added.
They also shared that they reserve the right to take further diplomatic action as it deems necessary.
The statement comes after Quan responded on a forum to comment on the remarks made by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. pointing to China as a “troublemaker” in the region.
The Department also previously said in a statement that Quan had a “poor choice of words that would seem to convey a thinly veiled threat of the use of force, which is hardly helpful in the context of the complicated bilateral ties between the Philippines and China.“
The DFA also hopes that all diplomats accredited to the country take greater care in their language used in public statements so as not to further erode mutual trust and confidence, nor derail the advancement of dialogue and constructive engagement.
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