January 17, 2026 | 11:02am
MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Coast Guard Commodore Jay Tarriela responded to the Chinese Embassy in Manila’s diplomatic protest and allegations of a smear campaign, describing the move as a “clear attempt” to divert attention from China’s “repeated aggressive actions” in the West Philippine Sea.
Tarriela said in a Facebook post on Friday, January 16, that the Chinese Embassy’s demand for clarification from the Philippine government constitutes interference in internal affairs and a violation of Article 41(1) of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
“By pressuring our own government over my personal and professional expressions as the PCG spox on the WPS, the Chinese Embassy is engaging in precisely the interference it is obliged to avoid,” he said.
“This is not legitimate diplomacy; it is an effort to intimidate and suppress truthful reporting on matters of Philippine sovereignty,” he added.
Tarriela also stressed that China, not the Philippine government, should be the one providing the Philippines with an explanation for the well-documented incidents of Chinese Coast Guard vessels ramming Philippine ships, carrying out dangerous maneuvers and using water cannons in the West Philippine Sea.
The PCG spokesperson cited China’s continued harassment of Filipino fishermen within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, as well as efforts to block them from exploring and using its resources, saying these actions stem from China’s refusal to recognize the 2016 Arbitral Award that invalidated its nine-dash line claims.
“These are not ‘smears’ or ‘slanders.’ These are factual accounts backed by video evidence, photographs, official Philippine Coast Guard reports, and third-party observations—including satellite imagery and statements from other nations,” Tarriela said.
In a Facebook post, the Chinese Embassy in Manila accused Tarriela of publicly attacking and smearing Chinese leaders, claiming his posts infringed on China’s political dignity and damaged mutual trust and cooperation between the two countries.
The embassy also questioned the Philippine government for not subjecting the PCG spokesperson to “the most basic standards of discipline and ethics.”
Deputy spokesperson Guo Wei also maintained that filing diplomatic protests and representations with Malacañang, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the PCG is not interference, but rather China’s “lawful performance of its diplomatic duties.”
Tarriela fired back, saying China’s objections only demonstrate its unease over posts and reports showing the violations the country has committed in the West Philippine Sea.
“If the Chinese Embassy objects to images or expressions that highlight these violations—often through legitimate public discourse or even satire—it only underscores discomfort with the truth being exposed,” he added.
However, Wei said China is particularly concerned over a presentation Tarriela made before a local university where photos of Chinese President Xi Jinping with the text, “Why China remains to be bully?”
While China called for “peace over conflict” and “dialogue over confrontation,” Tarriela said such rhetoric is only credible if Beijing respects the Philippines’ sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea, takes responsibility for its violations, and stops meddling in the country’s domestic affairs.
“The Filipino people remain resolute: we will continue to document, report, and assert our sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea—peacefully, factually, and without fear,” he added.
Both Malacañang and the DFA have yet to respond to the Chinese Embassy’s statements and accusations. Meanwhile, the Chinese Embassy continues to insist that its activities in the South China Sea are “in line with international law.”
The embassy has traded accusations with Philippine officials over the past weeks, targeting Tarriela, Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, Rep. Leila de Lima and the National Maritime Council, claiming that the Philippines is distorting the facts over the West Philippine Sea.
