Rear Adm. Jay Tarriela has questioned Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan’s conduct after the Chinese Embassy attacked Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. over the arrest of Chinese workers at a steel plant in Misamis Oriental.
Tarriela, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said the embassy appeared to be belittling Philippine officials while operating on Philippine soil.
“Paano tayo nakarating sa ganitong yugto ng ating kasaysayan, kung saan may isang foreign embassy na parang binabastos na ang ating pagka-Pilipino sa mismong bansa natin?” Tarriela said in a Facebook post on Sunday, August 16.
He said the embassy had no hesitation in releasing statements against officials who challenged China’s actions affecting Philippine rights in the West Philippine Sea.
“Ito na ba talaga ang klase ng diplomacy ng Ambassador of China sa atin ngayon?” Tarriela asked.
“As a Filipino, I do not think we deserve this. Sec. Gibo and the Department of National Defense deserve nothing less than respect,” he added.
Tarriela issued the statement after the Chinese Embassy accused Teodoro of distorting facts about Chinese workers arrested during a May raid at the Philippine Sanjia Steel Corp. in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.
“Secretary Teodoro’s remarks are completely unfounded. They distort the facts and turn black into white,” the embassy said.
The embassy questioned Teodoro’s involvement and the participation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the operation. It also asked why Chinese workers were arrested while Filipino workers were released.
It claimed that 70 Chinese workers were held for up to 32 days and placed in crowded cells. It also said the workers had passports and valid work documents.
The embassy denied interfering in Philippine law enforcement. It said providing consular assistance and protecting the rights of detained Chinese nationals were among its duties.
The Department of National Defense rejected the embassy’s claims and said it had no obligation to answer questions from a foreign government or embassy.
“The latest statement from the Chinese Embassy is a blatant example of interference in Philippine internal affairs and a twisted abuse of the freedoms guaranteed by the Philippine Constitution,” DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said.
Andolong said the embassy was the one facing questions over its alleged protection of illegal activities in the Philippines.
“The Chinese Embassy’s response does not contain any answers. Instead, it is full of questions and rhetoric. This is a classic example of evasiveness and a badge of deception,” he said.
The DND said the government would continue enforcing Philippine laws regardless of objections from China.
“Hindi kami titigil sa pagpapatupad ng batas ng Republika at pagsugpo sa mga paglabag dito, sinumang tututol o sumang-ayon man, kabilang ang Embahada ng Tsina,” Andolong said.
“Di kami pasisiil!” he asserted.
Teodoro earlier said the May raid was supported by evidence and court-issued search warrants. He alleged that the plant was involved in producing substandard and radioactively contaminated steel, releasing polluted wastewater and emitting toxic fumes.
China denied the accusations and said the Chinese workers were subjected to discriminatory law enforcement.
