MANILA, PHILIPPINES – On Monday, the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., rejected previous criticism of Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez made by the Chinese Embassy in Manila.

According to a statement from the Philippine Embassy, Romualdez is not an ambassador for “another country,” nor is he disseminating “erroneous ‘China threat’ and ‘Sinophobia’ remarks.”

The Embassy also added “His statements regarding the developments in the South China Sea have been consistent with the position expressed by the Philippine Government’s highest officials.” 

“Particularly regarding the threat posed by unlawful, aggressive, and provocative actions of the Chinese Coast Guard and Chinese maritime militia against Philippine vessels and personnel and Filipino fishermen,” the statement read.

It went on to say that these acts included the unsafe use of water cannons, lasers, and other weapons in defiance of international maritime laws.

Romualdez has received advice from the Chinese Embassy to “stop spreading false information.” It further charged him with inciting unrest in the South China Sea.

“China has always been committed to properly handling the South China Sea disputes with relevant parties through dialogue and consultation while firmly safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,” the Chinese Embassy said on Sunday.

China’s nine-dash line map, which claimed almost the whole South China Sea, was declared unlawful by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016. Yet, Chinese maritime assets still act aggressively in Bajo de Masinloc and the Spratly Island group.

“Conflating Philippine efforts to defend its territorial and maritime entitlements with serving the interests of another country negates the Philippines’ legitimate rights and interests to protect and defend our nation’s sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea, and the Philippine Government will not stand for it,” the Philippine Embassy said.

The Philippines reiterates its unwavering dedication to upholding an international rules-based order, notably anchored in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award.

The Embassy emphasizes its ongoing collaboration with like-minded partners to uphold maritime rights and ensure regional stability.

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