MANILA, Philippines — The municipal council of Kalayaan in Palawan has declared Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan persona non grata, effectively barring him from the municipality’s jurisdiction.
The Sangguniang Bayan approved the resolution during its 30th Regular Session on Jan. 27, 2026 condemning what it described as Ambassador Jing's “violations of diplomatic protocol and affronts to Philippine officials.”
Authored by Vice Mayor and Presiding Officer Maurice Phillip Alexis Albayda, the resolution specifically cited recent actions by the Chinese Embassy. It condemned the Embassy’s demand that the Philippine government “hold accountable” Commodore Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman for the West Philippine Sea, calling it an attempt to “intimidate a Philippine officer” for his transparency efforts.
The resolution also criticized the Ambassador’s office for seeking to “undermine” Sen. Francis Pangilinan by dismissing his defense of the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the 2016 Arbitral Ruling.
Describing the conduct as “’wolf warrior’ diplomacy,” the council said it was “incompatible” with Ambassador Jing’s claim to serve as a “stabilizing force” since his arrival in December 2025.
It emphasized Kalayaan’s unique position as the only Philippine municipality in the West Philippine Sea, saying its residents “cannot remain silent” against perceived foreign interference in national sovereignty.
“Now, therefore, be it resolved to strongly condemn the recent actions of Jing Quan... and to declare him persona non grata within the municipal jurisdiction of Kalayaan, Palawan,” the resolution states.
Copies of the resolution will be sent to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Philippine Coast Guard, the Chinese Embassy, several senators and congressmen, and other concerned offices.