A government official from the town of Kalayaan expressed outrage over China’s most recent rocket launch, which traversed Palawan’s skies and was followed by loud explosions and debris falling into Palawan waters.
The Philippine Space Agency confirmed that the launch occurred at 3:48 p.m. on Monday, January 19.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines, through the Western Command, Western Naval Command, and Tactical Operations Wing-West, together with the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine National Police Maritime Group, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and the Puerto Princesa City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, closely monitored the launch and were able to take video footage of the rocket at around 3:59 p.m., about the same time the loud explosions were heard.
WesNavCom also noted that the rocket’s trajectory aligned with pre-launch advisories indicating potential debris drop zones approximately 20 to 160 nautical miles off the eastern coast of Palawan, including areas near Puerto Princesa City and the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.
There were no reported injuries, property damage, or debris impacts on any landmass after the launch.
Due to the occurrence of another rocket debris falling and exploding, Kalayaan Vice Mayor Maurice Philip Alexis Albayda described the launch as a test measure conducted by China in an apparent attempt to provoke a response from the Philippine government.
“Yun ay muling pagpapakita ng pag-trigger ng bansang China sa ating bansa. Siyempre, hinihintay nila na sumagot ang ating missile defense, missile response doon sa kanilang pinapalipad, pero hindi nila nakuha ang kanilang gusto dahil tayo ay matalinong bansa at habang tayo’y ine-enjoy ang ating demokrasya,” Albayda said in his privilege speech during the Kalayaan Sangguniang Bayan session on Tuesday.
Albayda also denounced the actions of China’s ambassador to the Philippines, saying the diplomat had overstepped his limits.
He filed a resolution “strongly condemning the actions of Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan and declaring him persona non grata within the municipal jurisdiction of Kalayaan for violations of diplomatic protocols and affront to Philippine officials.”
Albayda said the ambassador’s statements against Senator Francis Pangilinan and Philippine Coast Guard Commodore Jay Tarriela were unacceptable.
“Kapag ang isang diplomat ay nagsimulang gumamit ng mga wikang mapangutya at mapanghamak ay nawawala ang pundasyon ng pagtitiwala kay Senator Pangilinan. Dahil sa mga komento ni Sen. Pangilinan patungkol sa One China policy ay sinimulang atakihin ang isang halal na mambabatas ng bansa. Ang pag-atake sa isang national government official na inihalal ng Pilipino ay pag-atake sa institusyong kinakatawan niya at sa mga mamamayang nagluklok sa kanya,” he explained.
“Secondly, kay Commodore Jay Tarriela, ang paghamak sa isang opisyal na buong tapat at buong tapang na naglalantad ng katotohanan patungkol sa WPS ay direktang pang-iinsulto sa ating unipormadong serbisyo na nagbubuwis ng buhay para sa ating kalayaan,” he added.
Albayda cited the 1991 Vienna Convention, particularly Article 41, which states that while diplomats are granted certain privileges, they are also obligated to respect the laws of their host states, in this case, the Philippines.
“Higit sa lahat, mayroon silang obligasyon na huwag makialam sa panloob na usapin ng ating bansa,” he emphasized.
He also cited Article 9 of the convention, which states that the Philippines has the sovereign right to declare a diplomat persona non grata at any time without explanation.
He pointed out that the ambassador’s derogatory statements against Senator Francis Pangilinan and Philippine Coast Guard Commodore Jay Tarriela constitute a direct violation of the spirit of Article 41 of the Vienna Convention.
He stressed that mocking Philippine officials amounts to interference in the country’s internal affairs and a failure to recognize the nation’s authority as a sovereign state.
The attacks against Pangilinan and Tarriela, who were merely performing their official duties, undermine the principles of diplomatic decorum, he added.
He warned that such actions could set a bad precedent and called for necessary and immediate action.
“Kung hindi tayo kikilos ngayon, para na rin nating hinayaan na tapakan ang ating bandila sa loob mismo ng ating bakuran. Ipinapaabot natin sa bansang China na hangga’t ang kanilang kinatawan ay hindi marunong rumespeto sa ating institusyon, hindi siya dapat malugod na tinatanggap sa ating bansa,” he said.
“Hindi na kailangang ipaliwanag. Ang paghamak sa ating mga opisyal ay paghamak sa ating soberanya,” he concluded.
