DFA: Sino envoy summoned July 4; China embassy hits Tolentino anew
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday said it summoned Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian last Friday to express its concerns regarding the sanctions imposed by Beijing on former Sen. Francis Tolentino.
“The DFA conveyed to the Chinese side that, while the imposition of such sanctions falls within China’s legal prerogative, the imposition of punitive measures against democratically elected officials for their official acts is inconsistent with the norms of mutual respect and dialogue that underpin relations between two equal sovereign states,” the DFA said in a statement.
The department said it “reminded” Huang that the Philippines “values freedom of expression” as a democratic country: “In the Philippines’ adherence to the constitutional separation of powers among the three branches of Government, it is the mandate of Senators and other elected officials to inquire on matters of national and public interests.”
“The Department remains committed to addressing differences through diplomacy and dialogue, and looks forward to continued constructive engagement with China to promote mutual understanding,” the DFA added.
Malacañang confirmed the summons to the Chinese ambassador on Tuesday, with Palace press officer Claire Castro reiterating Manila’s position.
‘Malicious smear’
On July 1, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Tolentino would be barred from entering the Chinese mainland and its territories, Hong Kong and Macau, due to his “egregious conduct on China-related issues.”
A “handful of anti-China politicians” in the country have made “malicious remarks and moves” regarding issues related to China, the ministry said, but “The Chinese government is firmly resolved to defend national sovereignty, security, and development interests.”
Reacting to the DFA disclosure, the Chinese Embassy in Manila on Tuesday reiterated the ministry’s statement—with an additional warning and a new description of Tolentino’s actions.
“It should be noted that such sanctions fall purely within China’s legal prerogative, and there are consequences for hurting China’s interests,” the embassy said.
“Tolentino’s malicious smear against China and instigation of confrontation will only backfire, and ultimately harm the interest of the Philippines and Filipino people,” it added.
2 significant laws
Tolentino had served as Senate majority leader and the chair of the special committee on Philippine maritime and admiralty zones, which conducted investigations on, among others, the reported maritime spying activities of Chinese nationals in the country and the submersible drone discovered off San Pascual town in Masbate that had Chinese markings.
The former senator also authored the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, which marked out the country’s territorial claims in the South China Sea.
The first sets the limits or extent of the country’s exclusive economic zone, while the second identifies the country’s sea lanes through which foreign ships and aircraft may pass. Both measures backed the historic arbitral award in 2016 that invalidated China’s sweeping claims over the South China Sea.
President Marcos lauded the two measures as “significant laws that emphasize the importance of our maritime and archipelagic identity.”
The Chinese Foreign Ministry, however, questioned their legitimacy, denouncing them for supposedly infringing on Beijing’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.
JV thinks Huang ‘angry’
In a statement on Tuesday, Tolentino expressed his support for the DFA’s decision to summon the Chinese diplomat.
The sanctions, he said, were “not only an affront to Philippine sovereignty but also to the dignity of every Filipino who stands for our national interest.”
He stressed that if raising concerns about Chinese maritime aggression and reported acts of espionage against Philippine institutions result in foreign retaliation, it only highlights the need for “greater vigilance and unity in defending our democratic values and territorial integrity.”
“No foreign power can intimidate or diminish the dignity of a free and sovereign Filipino nation,” the former senator added.
Sen. JV Ejercito likewise voiced support for the DFA’s move and disclosed that, although he has not been sanctioned by China, he too has experienced being the object of China’s displeasure.
Specifically, whenever he and Huang crossed paths, the envoy would ignore him, said Ejercito.
“I think he’s angry with me. But it’s okay, I’m angry too at what they’re doing to our fishermen and Navy. So the feeling is mutual,” he added. —WITH REPORTS FROM DEXTER CABALZA, TINA G. SANTOS, MAILA AGER AND LUISA CABATO
