The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs issued a rare rebuke to government officials and agencies on Nov. 8 over public comments regarding China, stressing the need for a unified voice as the country heads into a key regional summit.
The foreign ministry cautioned that public rhetoric risks eroding national credibility, stating that civilian authority directs the country’s international relations while warning against mixing public messaging with official diplomacy.
Foreign Affairs Criticizes Official Use of Transparency as Strategy
The Department of Foreign Affairs criticized recent public commentary by certain officials for incorrectly merging documentary evidence, public rhetoric, and official diplomatic messaging. The department noted that while documenting and publicizing incidents helps establish facts, transparency is a tool, not a strategy in itself.
Uniformed services and the national security establishment, having spent months trading sharp online remarks with the Chinese Embassy, were the direct target of the declaration. The ministry underscored that the 2016 international court ruling that largely set aside China’s South China Sea assertions was the result of formal legal processes under international law instead of public communication.
Senators Call for Ambassador Expulsion Amid Rising Regional Friction
The friction follows recent calls by multiple senators in October for Beijing’s ambassador to be declared persona non grata after suggestions that China could easily win any confrontation with the Philippines. China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, subsequently urged Manila in a phone call with counterpart Theresa Lazaro to rein in politicians who had smeared Beijing and crossed its red lines.
Manila is set to host a major ASEAN summit later this month, drawing leaders from member states and dialogue partners. While Chinese President Xi Jinping is not expected to attend the gathering, Beijing has yet to publicly announce its full delegation.
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