Jamaine Punzalan

Chinese flags wave with Philippine flags along Roxas Boulevard in Manila on November 19, ahead of Chinese president Xi Jinping's state visit in the country. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File

Article (news)

Flying the Chinese flag

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177078253732620181119-chinese-flag-xi-jinping-state-visit-MD-8750.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Chinese flags wave with Philippine flags along Roxas Boulevard in Manila on November 19, ahead of Chinese president Xi Jinping&#x27;s state visit in the Philippines. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File </span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday that China’s ban against the entry of Kalayaan, Palawan town officials does not contribute to “good and vibrant” ties with the Philippines. </p><p>Beijing<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/10/chinese-embassy-says-kalayaan-officials-not-welcome-in-china-1911"> banned the entry of 16 Kalayaa</a>n officials to China, including Hong Kong and Macao, after the town government declared Chinese ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan persona non grata within its municipal jurisdiction due to supposed violations of diplomatic protocol and interference in Philippine internal affairs.</p><p>“While preventing the entry of foreign nationals into their territory is a country&#x27;s sovereign prerogative, such actions do not contribute to fostering good and vibrant bilateral relations, especially in reinvigorating people-to-people interaction, which both the Philippines and China have committed to,” the DFA said. </p><p>Kalayaan is the country’s only municipality located in the West Philippine Sea.  </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/8/tarriela-invites-marcoleta-on-flight-over-kalayaan-island-group-0925">Tarriela invites Marcoleta on flight over Kalayaan Island Group</a></div><p>China claims almost the entire South China Sea, including parts of Philippine waters, despite an international ruling that its stance has no legal basis.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/8/what-is-the-kalayaan-group-of-islands-and-why-is-it-important-to-ph-2056">What is the Kalayaan Group of Islands and why is it important to PH? </a></div><p>Beijing and Manila have had a series of confrontations in the sea in recent years, including collisions and Chinese ships using water cannons on Filipino vessels. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/10/ph-navy-warns-china-may-be-exploiting-political-squabbles-over-west-ph-sea-1328">PH Navy warns China may be exploiting political squabbles over West PH Sea</a></div><p>The DFA later in the day urged the Chinese embassy &quot;to be constructive in its statements towards a healthy dialogue despite major differences with a view to advance the overall bilateral relationship.&quot; </p><p>&quot;While indeed the embassies have the duty to respond, the DFA urges that such responses be made in a calm and professional manner, conscious of the mutual respect that must prevail in all diplomatic interactions,&quot; the agency said. </p><p>Meanwhile, several senators stood firm behind a Senate resolution that condemned the Chinese embassy&#x27;s remarks against some Philippine officials&#x27; position on maritime issues.</p><p>&quot;Karapatan ng Senado po na magpalabas sa resolusyo... Sana naisip din po nila, they are visitors here in our country. At siguro kailangan nilang balikan yung Vienna Convention of 1961. Na if you are a visitors here, a diplomat, dapat po respetuhin yung mga batas ng host country. Ganun din po tayo  doon po sa bansa nila, yung ating mga diplomats, they respect their laws,&quot; Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Erwin Tulfo said. </p><p>Sen. Kiko Pangilinan said the Chinese Embassy’s &quot;undiplomatic and boorish response&quot; to the resolution &quot;only proves that China is indeed a bully, has no respect for International law and their acts deserving of condemnation.&quot; </p><p>&quot;The Chinese government’s propaganda, especially on social media, is as brazen as its harassment in our waters. Huwag nating pahintulutan ang mga dayuhang elemento na patuloy na maghasik ng pagkakawatak-watak sa ating bansa,&quot; added Sen. Risa Hontiveros. </p><div><strong>— With a report from Agence France-Presse </strong></div><div><iframe width="1201" height="675" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GMNxTn9gtvg" title="China says talks with Philippines on South China Sea to continue after Cebu meeting | ABS-CBN News" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><iframe width="1201" height="675" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GKrrGx2k_G8" title="PH Navy warns China may be exploiting political squabbles over WPS | ANC" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>The Department of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday that China’s ban against the entry of Kalayaan, Palawan town officials does not contribute to “good and vibrant” ties with the Philippines.</p>

The Department of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday that China’s ban against the entry of Kalayaan, Palawan town officials does not contribute to “good and vibrant” ties with the Philippines.

DFA says China ban vs Kalayaan officials does not foster good ties

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DFA says China ban vs Kalayaan officials does not foster good ties

ABS-CBN News

Published February 11, 2026 12:05 PM PHT

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Updated February 11, 2026 04:12 PM PHT

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China

Philippines

Kalayaan

West Philippine Sea

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