A senior Philippine national security official has demanded the immediate removal of Chinese diplomats. This response comes following a reported leak of a phone call between one of the diplomats and a Filipino admiral about rising tensions in the South China Sea. This incident occurred shortly after alleged Chinese harassment and use of water cannons against a Filipino humanitarian mission en route to Scarborough Shoal, a contentious area in the region.
National Security Adviser Eduardo Año supported a proposal by Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro to reprimand Chinese embassy individuals in Manila “who claim to have recorded an alleged phone conversation between a Chinese diplomat and a military official,” an act which constitutes a violation of Philippine laws and international diplomatic protocols. Año accused China’s embassy in Manila of orchestrating “repeated acts of engaging in and dissemination of disinformation, misinformation, and malinformation,” for the purpose of inciting discord, division, and disunity. He demanded the immediate expulsion of those responsible.
Based on a transcript published by the Manila Times, a Philippine admiral reportedly acquiesced to China’s proposal of a “new model,” where the Philippines would reduce the number of vessels used in resupply missions for marines stationed at the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, and inform Beijing in advance about these missions. However, the Philippine government has urged the public to be skeptical about China’s claims.
China has not formally acknowledged or refuted the news reports. China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian responded to the accusations by challenging the Philippines to ensure Chinese diplomats can function normally whilst urging them to abstain from provocation and violations.
Over recent months, the Chinese coast guard has employed powerful water cannons and other risky maneuvers, causing injury to several Filipino navy personnel and damaging their supply boats. The Philippine government has regularly summoned Chinese embassy diplomats in Manila to express their protests.
JURIST – News reports on these events continue to unfold as further information becomes available.