Senators ‘disappointed’ over Chinese envoy’s remarks, weigh expulsion move—Ejercito

MANILA — Several senators are disappointed over “disrespectful” remarks by Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan, Senator JV Ejercito said Wednesday, as the Senate prepares to discuss a resolution seeking to declare the diplomat persona non grata.

In an interview on ANC’s Headstart on Wednesday, Ejercito said senators had expressed their dismay over the ambassador’s statements amid escalating tensions between Manila and Beijing over the West Philippine Sea.

“A lot of senators, in our group chat, are really disappointed because they feel that we are being disrespected as a nation already. And the remarks have been very undiplomatic,” Ejercito said.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros earlier filed a resolution to declare Quan persona non grata, or unwelcome, in the Philippines.

“We will discuss this further,” he said, adding that lawmakers would have to weigh the implications of such a move.

The Chinese Embassy later responded, saying: “Since you don’t welcome us, we don’t welcome you, either. Fair enough.”

The proposed resolution comes amid calls from several lawmakers to hold Jing accountable for remarks that Philippine officials have described as threatening and undiplomatic.

The Department of Foreign Affairs summoned the Chinese envoy on October 19 to convey the Philippines’ strong objection to his statements, which Manila viewed as a thinly veiled threat of the use of force. 

While supporting a firm response to China’s actions, Ejercito said the Philippines must proceed cautiously, given the importance of maintaining peace and economic ties with Beijing.

“We have to play it intelligently and we have to proceed with caution. Of course, definitely we cannot match China. They are a superpower. We are not. But in our own little way, we just have to stand up,” he said.

Ejercito said the Philippines should not be intimidated by China’s military and economic power and must continue defending its sovereignty and maritime rights.

He rejected accusations that Filipinos criticizing Beijing’s actions were promoting war or siding with the United States.

“No, we are not pro-war. We are not pro-U.S. We are just pro-Filipino and we just want to stand by our sovereignty and our rights,” he said.

Ejercito also expressed hope that Beijing would send a diplomat capable of rebuilding the countries’ strained relationship.

“Again, in a very tense situation already, I’m hoping that China would send somebody who will be there to repair the relationship, the damage that has been done,” he said.

The senator clarified that his criticism was directed at the ambassador’s conduct, not China or the Chinese people as a whole.

Ejercito earlier posted a video message telling Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan to “go home,” after the envoy remarked that China could easily defeat the Philippines if it used force. 

“Our relationship is broken. It’s not as friendly as before. We need someone, a diplomat, to mend the ties, to try to improve the relationship,” he said.

Ejercito’s remarks followed a video he posted in which he spoke Mandarin to tell the Chinese ambassador that the West Philippine Sea belongs to the Philippines.