Calling out a diplomat for undiplomatic conduct toward senior elected officials of the host country and politely asking his government to recall him is not a failure of diplomacy but a dignified way to preserve bilateral ties, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Wednesday.
Lacson directed this message to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) amid the Chinese Embassy in Manila’s social media posts criticizing Philippine officials who had taken issue with Ambassador Jing Quan’s recent remarks.
In Filipino: Lacson sa DFA: Pagsita sa ‘Undiplomatic’ na Diplomat at Paghingi ng Recall, Makapagsasalba sa Ugnayang Bilateral
“MESSAGE TO DFA: Calling out a diplomat for his undiplomatic conduct toward high-ranking elected officials of his host country and politely asking his government to recall him is not a failure of diplomacy. It is a dignified act of preserving bilateral relations,” Lacson said in a post on X.
The DFA summoned Jing last Monday to formally protest his “provocative and unacceptable” remark that China could easily win a confrontation with the Philippines.
DFA Secretary Teresita Lazaro told Jing that such language “aggravates an already sensitive bilateral atmosphere and undermines the shared efforts of both countries to build mutual understanding and cooperation.”
She added that it is “not the place of a foreign mission to publicly criticize or taunt Philippine officials and legislators who are acting within their mandates,” adding sensitive issues are best addressed “through established diplomatic channels and bilateral mechanisms.”
The controversy arose after Jing was asked to respond to Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.’s assertion that China is a “troublemaker” in the region.
Jing said that if China had wanted to use force, it could “easily win.” Following criticism from several Philippine officials, he later claimed his remarks were taken out of context, insisting that China “(does not) have the intention to use force.”
The Chinese Embassy in Manila subsequently published several social media messages criticizing Philippine officials who have openly questioned Jing’s remarks.
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Lacson sa DFA: Pagsita sa ‘Undiplomatic’ na Diplomat at Paghingi ng Recall, Makapagsasalba sa Ugnayang Bilateral
Hindi kabiguan ng diplomasya kundi marangal na paraan para isalba ang ugnayang bilateral ang pagsita sa “undiplomatic” na pakikitungo ng isang diplomat sa matataas na opisyal ng Pilipinas at ang paghiling sa kanyang gobyerno na ipa-recall siya, ayon kay Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson nitong Miyerkules.
Inilabas ni Lacson ng mensaheng ito para sa Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) sa gitna ng mga social media post ng Chinese Embassy sa Maynila na bumabatikos sa mga opisyal ng Pilipinas na pumuna sa mga kamakailang pahayag ni Ambassador Jing Quan.
“MESSAGE TO DFA: Calling out a diplomat for his undiplomatic conduct toward high-ranking elected officials of his host country and politely asking his government to recall him is not a failure of diplomacy. It is a dignified act of preserving bilateral relations,” ani Lacson sa kanyang post sa X.
Ipinatawag ng DFA si Jing nitong Lunes upang pormal na ipahayag ang pagtutol nito sa kanyang “provocative and unacceptable” na pahayag na diumano’y madaling mananalo ang China sa isang komprontasyon sa Pilipinas.
Sinabi ni DFA Secretary Teresita Lazaro kay Jing na ang ganitong pananalita ay “aggravates an already sensitive bilateral atmosphere and undermines the shared efforts of both countries to build mutual understanding and cooperation.”
Idinagdag niya na “not the place of a foreign mission to publicly criticize or taunt Philippine officials and legislators who are acting within their mandates,” at na mas mainam talakayin ang mga sensitibong isyu “through established diplomatic channels and bilateral mechanisms.”
Nagsimula ang kontrobersiya matapos hingan si Jing ng reaksiyon sa pahayag ni Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. na “troublemaker” ang China sa rehiyon.
Sinabi ni Jing na kung ninais ng China na madali itong mananalo kung gumamit ito ng puwersa. Matapos punahin ng ilang opisyal ng Pilipinas, iginiit niya kalaunan na out-of-context ang kanyang mga pahayag, at ipinilit na ang China ay walang intensyong gumamit ng pwersa.
Kasunod nito, naglathala ang Chinese Embassy sa Maynila ng ilang mensahe sa social media na bumabatikos sa mga opisyal ng Pilipinas na hayagang pumuna sa mga pahayag ni Jing.
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