MANILA – Senator Risa Hontiveros on Friday called for a formal apology and retraction from Beijing over Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan’s remarks about using military force against the Philippines, warning that the envoy should be declared persona non grata if China refuses.
Hontiveros joined Senators Erwin Tulfo and JV Ejercito in condemning Jing’s statement that China could easily defeat the Philippines in a military confrontation, describing the pronouncement as an attempt to intimidate the country amid continuing tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
“An ambassador who threatens his host country has crossed a line. Summoning him is not enough,” she said in a statement.
“The PH government must demand a formal retraction and apology from Beijing. If none comes, the ambassador should be declared persona non grata.”
Hontiveros characterized the envoy’s remarks as “gray zone aggression in diplomatic form,” saying such statements were intended to intimidate and coerce without resorting to outright armed conflict.
She also urged the government to bring the matter before the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United Nations General Assembly, arguing that threats against one country undermine the international rules protecting all nations.
“When one nation is threatened, every member-state that values international law is threatened too,” she said.
The senator maintained that the Philippines has consistently pursued legal and diplomatic means to defend its maritime rights and should not be intimidated into abandoning them.
PH sovereignty non-negotiable
Tulfo, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, likewise rejected the Chinese envoy’s remarks, stressing that military superiority does not give any country the right to intimidate the Philippines.
“Nobody in this world can bully the Philippines – whether through words or by force,” he said.
“Our sovereignty is not negotiable, our dignity is not for sale, and our resolve must never be mistaken for weakness.”
Tulfo said the Philippines remains committed to peaceful relations and international law but would not hesitate to defend its sovereignty if threatened.
Citing the country’s history of resisting foreign occupation, he said Filipinos had demonstrated their determination to protect their homeland despite limited military resources.
“We fought foreign invaders in the past with only crude weapons but a lot of courage, sweat, and blood, and we succeeded,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ejercito questioned the sincerity of Beijing’s professed commitment to peace in a Facebook post directed at the Chinese ambassador.
“To the Chinese Ambassador: Do you really love peace or do you love our fish?” Ejercito wrote, alluding to the maritime dispute and the rights of Filipino fisherfolk in the West Philippine Sea.
Jing drew criticism Thursday after telling reporters during a dialogue in Quezon City that China could easily prevail if it used military force against the Philippines.
“If we want to use force, we may easily win. But no, we will not use force. You know, we love peace,” the ambassador said.
Hontiveros stressed that China must be held accountable not only for its diplomatic statements but also for its actions in Philippine waters.
Tulfo, meanwhile, reiterated the country’s determination to resist foreign intimidation.
“Sa Pilipino ang Pilipinas. Hindi kami pasisiil (The Philippines belongs to Filipinos. We will not be subjugated),” he said.
A 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling rejected the legal basis for China’s claims to historic rights within its nine-dash line insofar as these exceeded its maritime entitlements under international law.
Beijing continues to reject the ruling, while the Marcos administration maintains that the award is a foundation for protecting Philippine maritime rights. (PNA)
