January 30, 2026
MANILA – An open letter circulating online criticized the Chinese Embassy in Manila’s recent remarks against Philippine officials, echoing concerns earlier raised by senators over what they described as personal and undiplomatic rhetoric amid tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
The letter, published Wednesday by a page with at least 28,000 followers called ‘Tindig Pilipino’, followed a four-point statement by Chinese Embassy spokesperson Ji Lingpeng addressing recent public exchanges involving lawmakers and Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela.
Lawmakers pushed back against incessant remarks, prompting the Senate to adopt Resolution No. 256, approved by 15 senators across party lines, condemning what it called the embassy’s personal attacks on Philippine officials.
READ: 15 senators cross party lines, sign reso vs Chinese embassy remarks
In its post, Lingpeng referred to Jay Tarriela as the “so-called PCG spokesperson for the ‘West Philippine Sea’” and accused him, along with “certain individuals and institutions,” of “relentlessly attacking and smearing China and spreading false narratives.”
The open letter responded, saying the embassy “opened by dismissing the very term ‘West Philippine Sea’ as ‘so-called,’ as though language itself could be delegitimized by quotation marks,” and noted that the West Philippine Sea is rightfully “the Philippine government’s official designation for maritime zones recognized under UNCLOS and clarified by the 2016 Arbitral Award.”
It added, “calling it ‘so-called’ does not negate the law. It merely signals refusal to accept it.”
READ: PH wins arbitration case over South China Sea
Tindig Pilipino also responded to the Chinese Embassy’s claim that China “has always helped the Philippines with sincerity and goodwill” through infrastructure, vaccines, trade, tourism, and the rescue of a Filipino fisherman.
The open letter emphasized that such examples do not justify personal attacks, using aid as leverage, or ongoing pressure in the West Philippine Sea.
The embassy invoked freedom of expression, saying China, like the Philippines, has the right to speak, even as senators condemned what they called personal and undiplomatic attacks on Philippine officials.
The open letter acknowledged that both sides have freedom of speech but stressed it must not target officials or undermine Philippine sovereignty.
READ: West PH Sea sees return of Chinese ‘monster ship’ after almost a year
“The path is straightforward: respect international law, de-escalate at sea, let fishermen fish without fear, allow officials to speak without intimidation, and let truth stand without being shouted down,” it read.
This exchange highlights ongoing tensions over the West Philippine Sea, with lawmakers and advocacy pages pushing back against what they view as confrontational rhetoric by the Chinese Embassy. /dl