(UPDATE) MANILA, Philippines — Former Surigao del Norte representative and governor Robert Ace Barbers on Saturday called on Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan to leave the Philippines immediately, criticizing the Chinese embassy's challenge to declare him persona non grata.
“And yes, he should go back to China immediately,” Barbers told The Manila Times.
Barbers also mocked Quan’s declaration that China “loves peace,” citing years of confrontations in the West Philippine Sea, including water cannon attacks on Filipino vessels, the use of machetes against Filipino soldiers and the ramming of Philippine ships.
“I was totally charmed and disarmed by Quan’s sweet remarks,” Barbers said sarcastically, questioning whether Filipinos should feel reassured by China’s claims of peaceful intentions despite its actions at sea.
He accused the envoy of abusing Philippine hospitality and challenging the country’s sovereignty, warning Filipinos against accepting what he described as China’s provocative posture.
Barbers also took aim at lawmakers he accused of remaining silent over Quan’s remarks, referring to them as “DDS” and “Tsina-tors.”
“I am also not surprised that the DDS and the Tsina-tors are firmly exercising their constitutionally guaranteed right to remain silent in the face of this most blatant and in-your-face challenge of sovereignty by Mr. Quan,” he said.
Meanwhile, Quezon City Rep. Egay Erice called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to address the diplomatic issue, saying the president has the authority and information needed to determine the country’s response.
“President BBM (Bingbing Marcos) must address the issue clearly as he is the chief architect of our foreign policy,” Erice told The Manila Times.
“The best thing that we could do is to let the president handle the situation at the earliest possible time,” he added.
Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña, meanwhile, called for the envoy’s expulsion, expressing frustration over what he described as Quan’s arrogance.
“An arrogant, obnoxious visitor. How long are we going to tolerate this? This Chinese ambassador should be sent home,” Cendaña said in a social media post.
Out of context
Meanwhile, the Chinese Embassy in Manila said on Saturday that the viral statement of Ambassador Jing Quan was taken out of context.
This comes after the envoy said China would “easily win” if it chooses to use force against the Philippines in the rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea. He noted, however, that it chooses not to resort to violence because they “love peace.”
In a statement, the embassy said the circulating reports were only exaggerated to “create hype.”
“Some Philippine politicians and reporters have very limited comprehension about facts,” the embassy said.
“But they are good at exaggeration, taking things out of context, and creating hype,” it added.
