Philippines rebukes officials over public comments about China

The flag of the Philippines seen in Cagayan De Oro, Philippines. (Photo: iStock)

MANILA: The Philippines' foreign ministry issued a rare rebuke to government officials and agencies on Sunday (Nov 5) over public comments about China, stressing the need for a unified voice as the country heads into a key regional summit.

The uniformed services of the Philippines have been engaged in a long-running war of words with the Chinese government over the South China Sea, a busy waterway that Beijing claims almost entirely despite an international ruling that its position has no legal basis.

Multiple senators also called last month for Beijing's ambassador to be declared persona non grata after he suggested China could "easily win" any confrontation with the Philippines.

Beijing subsequently accused Manila of "erecting multiple obstacles" to its attendance at an ASEAN defence ministers' meeting, pointedly sending only an embassy defence attache.

CNA Games Guess Word Crack the word, one row at a time Buzzword Create words using the given letters Mini Sudoku Tiny puzzle, mighty brain teaser Mini Crossword Small grid, big challenge Word Search Spot as many words as you can Show More Show Less "Public statements that undermine the government's diplomatic approach do more than complicate the work of our diplomats," the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said, without specifying particular incidents.

"They risk eroding the country's credibility in international affairs and project an image of internal division that external parties can exploit. Such actions can ultimately weaken the Philippines' negotiating position."

The statement specifically addressed the country's national security establishment and uniformed services, which have engaged in months of heated exchanges with the Chinese Embassy on social media.

US ally the Philippines has been engaged in years of confrontations with China at sea over disputed areas of the strategic waterway, with repeated incidents occurring in recent months.

Sunday's statement said that while the armed services were indispensable in documenting incidents, "civilian authority directs the country's international relations".

It noted that the 2016 international court verdict that broadly dismissed China's claims to the South China Sea came via "rigorous legal proceedings under international law, not through public messaging or social media".

Defence Minister Gilberto Teodoro was banned from visiting China this year, with Beijing citing "irresponsible remarks".