MANILA, Philippines: China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned the Philippine government against expelling its diplomats in Manila, saying that “any hasty action” could “potentially harm” the Philippines amid tensions over territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea.
Lin Jian, spokesman for China’s Foreign Ministry, issued the statement on Friday night after Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and National Security Adviser Eduardo Año urged the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to expel the Chinese diplomat who illegally recorded a phone call with the chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command. This action, if proven, could have severe diplomatic and legal implications.
“The Philippines’ response shows precisely their guilty conscience in the face of facts and evidence and how exasperated and desperate they have become. We ask the Philippines to ensure that Chinese diplomats can carry out their duty normally and to stop provocations and infringements,” said Lin in a press conference.
He emphasized that the Philippines must refrain from making “reckless moves,” which could only “backfire” on the Philippines.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila, on May7, shared a phone call recording between an individual claiming to be the “AFP WesCom chief” and a Chinese diplomat with selected media organizations. They reportedly agreed on four points under a “new model” for managing disputes in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). However, the authenticity of the recording has not been confirmed.
Teodoro strongly urged the DFA to initiate a thorough investigation into the alleged recording, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the need for swift action.
Año also said that the Chinese officials may have violated Philippine laws, particularly the Anti-Wire Tapping Act, and breached diplomatic protocols and conventions.
