MANILA, Philippines--The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has made firm representations with the Chinese Embassy in Manila over the "escalation of public exchanges" between the embassy and Philippine legislators.
The embassy's deputy spokesman Guo Wei engaged in a "word war" with Sens. Risa Hontiveros, Francis Pangilinan, and Erwin Tulfo, and other government officials, including Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela over the South China Sea or West Philippine Sea maritime dispute.
"We reiterate our previous statements affirming support for our officials to perform their lawful duties in defense of Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction," the DFA said on Monday. "Their views, as well as those of disagreeing voices, are an inescapable part of the robust plurality of ideas that animate our democratic society." t
"At the same time, while the Philippines values debate on our differences in national positions, the Department recognizes the need for sober, professional and respectful exchanges in the public sphere. Such is not contradictory to the national interest," the DFA said in a statement.
The Department believes that "circumspection in language and actions are necessary so that the exchanges between the two sides, especially in the public domain, do not and will not unnecessarily derail the diplomatic space needed to manage the tensions in the maritime domain."
It also raised the need for both sides to "constructively collaborate in the non-sensitive areas of cooperation, such as in establishing formal communication channels between the two coast guards, developing scientific cooperation on ocean meteorology, and reinvigorating our trade and investment ties, agriculture cooperation, and people-to-people interaction."
