Kalayaan, Palawan officials unfazed by China’s ‘not welcome’ tag
MANILA, Philippines — Kalayaan, Palawan Mayor Beltzasar Alindogan on Wednesday said he and 15 others are unfazed after they were barred from entering China and its special administrative regions.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila on Tuesday said the “so-called” Kalayaan town mayor Beltzasar Alindogan, vice mayor Maurice Phillip Alexis Albayda, and 14 others, are “not welcome” to enter China (including Hong Kong and Macao).
According to the embassy, the move, which it said is in line with the principle of reciprocity, was made in response to resolutions by the Kalayaan officials declaring its former and current Chinese ambassadors persona non grata.
In January, the Kalayaan municipal council declared Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan persona non grata after the Chinese embassy criticized Philippine officials, including Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela.
“We are no longer surprised by the declaration that we are no longer allowed to set foot in their territory,” Alindogan said in a press conference in Puerto Princesa City.
“We respect their decision and attitude, which is only based on their law.”
Furthermore, the local chief executive said he is not affected by the move.
“And one more thing, I really have no plans, not even once, to visit their territory,” he said.
“I don’t like to travel; I would rather go sightseeing in the Philippines.”
Albayda said all officials subject to the “unwelcome” label share similar sentiments.
“I believe we are one in our objectives,” Albayda said. “Some of them even call [our group] ‘Kalayaan 16’.”
Despite the embassy’s dismissive tone pertaining to the town, the vice mayor still believes the move appears to be a tacit recognition of the town’s existence.
“Thank you for acknowledging that there is a town in the waters you claim,” Albayda said.
“At the same time, I am happy, because even the small expressions of the Kalayaan town council have an impact,” he added.
In 2023, the council also unanimously approved a resolution declaring former Beijing ambassador to Manila Huang Xilian persona non grata over the August 5 water cannon incident, according to a Palawan News report.
Pagasa Island is the biggest feature of the Kalayaan Island Group that is home to some 400 residents, government troops, law enforcers and civilian government personnel.
Having had an effective occupation and control over it, Manila asserts sovereignty within the 12 nautical-mile territorial sea of Pagasa Island, which is beyond the western section of the country’s exclusive economic zone.
The seat of government of the Kalayaan municipality regularly sees the presence of Chinese ships, sometimes even entering its territorial sea. /gsg
