10 House lawmakers urge Marcos to declare China envoy persona non grata

MANILA — Ten members of the House of Representatives on Wednesday filed a resolution urging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to declare Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan persona non grata or ask the Chinese government to recall him.

House Resolution No. 1562 was filed amid growing calls for the envoy’s removal over his remarks suggesting that China could easily win if it resorted to force in the West Philippine Sea.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier summoned Jing to convey the Philippines’ strong objection to his remarks, which Foreign Affairs Secretary Thereza Lazaro described as “provocative” and “unacceptable.” 

The DFA warned that such statements could worsen the already sensitive relations between Manila and Beijing.

The resolution was authored by Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, Zamboanga del Norte 3rd District Rep. Adrian Michael Amatong, Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao, Akbayan party-list Rep. Percival Cendaña, Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, Akbayan party-list Rep. Chel Diokno, Akbayan party-list Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula, Albay 1st District Rep. Cielo Krisel Lagman, Pinoy Workers party-list Rep. Karl Fernandez Legazpi and Las Piñas Rep. Mark Anthony Santos.

If adopted, the resolution will express the House’s position but cannot compel the executive branch to follow it.

Quan drew criticism after saying on October 15 that China could easily win if it chose to use force. He also said Beijing would not do so and would instead maintain peace.

The Chinese Embassy has defended the ambassador, saying his remarks were taken out of context. 

It also challenged Philippine officials and lawmakers calling for his expulsion, telling them to “STOP BLUFFING” in a social media post.

Sen. Erwin Tulfo and Risa Hontiveros have filed separate resolutions urging the government to declare Quan persona non grata, or not welcome. 

Marcos has expressed concern over Jing’s remarks, saying they sounded like a threat. He also said he is not inclined to declare the ambassador persona non grata.