West PH Sea: Hontiveros calls for action as Chinese embassy targets Tarriela

MANILA, Philippines — Senate Deputy Majority Leader Risa Hontiveros penned a letter asking the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to respond to the Chinese embassy’s public attack on officials defending the Philippines’ position in the West Philippine Sea.

The letter followed the embassy’s recent social media post criticizing Commodore Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard  spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea.

In her January 19 letter to Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, Hontiveros sought clarification on what the DFA plans to do to ensure foreign diplomatic missions respect diplomatic conduct and refrain from targeting Filipino officials.

READ: China protests Tarriela over alleged smearing of Xi’s ‘dignity’

“China is already disrespecting our seas, and now it is also disrespecting our officials. We must not allow the Chinese Embassy—or any embassy, for that matter—to disrespect public servants who are simply defending what is rightfully ours. I expect the DFA to take this matter seriously,” Hontiveros said.

The senator further said that the Philippine foreign service has consistently upheld the principle that disputes between states should be addressed through established diplomatic channels, not through public pressure campaigns directed at individual officials.

Hontiveros pointed out that allowing such actions to pass without response risks normalizing foreign interference and undermining the dignity of Philippine institutions, as well as the safety of those tasked with defending the country’s national interests.

READ: China cries ‘slander’ over Tarriela’s use of altered Xi images

“The Chinese Embassy is acting so much like a victim. It is their country that fires water cannons at our personnel, threatens our fisherfolk, and destroys our marine environment. We, Filipino public servants, will continue to speak the truth—and if that hurts their fragile egos, so be it,” Hontiveros concluded.

Below are the questions that Hontiveros particularly raised in her letter: 

• What representations, if any, have been made to the Chinese embassy regarding its post and similar and similar prior statements
• Whether the DFA considers these actions consistent with the embassy’s obligations under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations
• What measures the Department intends to take to ensure that foreign diplomatic missions in the Philippines respect the limits of diplomatic conduct and refrain from targeting Filipino officials

Inquirer has sought the DFA’s comment on Hontiveros’ appeal, but it has yet to respond as of writing. 

The Chinese Embassy in Manila earlier filed a diplomatic protest against Tarriela, over his alleged smearing of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s “dignity.” 

READ: PH boat ‘ignores’ China radio challenge at Scarborough – Beijing

The move came days after Tarriela posted a photo of himself in front of a flatscreen television displaying an image collage that appeared to be an AI-generated picture of Xi.

The photo, shown during a dialogue with students at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, depicted Xi fuming in anger, flexing his muscles, and even holding a wooden boat with a Philippine flag. /dl