Ched Rick Gatchalian

Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea. Bianca Dava, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

China's embassy in PH accuses Tarriela of 'attacking, smearing' Chinese leaders

ABS-CBN News

Agence France-Presse

<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/1768541225642PCG.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea. <em>Bianca Dava, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines on Friday said it filed a protest against Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela for “attacking and smearing Chinese leaders” on social media, which it said amounted to a &quot;political provocation.&quot;</p><p>Tarriela, the PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, had been trading barbs with an embassy official since last week over issues concerning the disputed South China Sea.</p><p>Tarriela&#x27;s Facebook post on Wednesday included a photo of him giving a speech, with a background featuring a compilation of comical images of Xi under the banner &quot;Why China remains to be bully?&quot;</p><p>In a statement, the Chinese embassy said Tarriela&#x27;s post was &quot;a serious violation of China’s political dignity and a blatant political provocation, which has crossed the red line.&quot;</p><p>&quot;China expresses strong indignation and strongly deplores this, and has lodged solemn representations with the Malacañang Palace, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Philippine Coast Guard,&quot; it said. </p><p>The embassy asked Manila to clarify whether Tarriela&#x27;s remarks represented the stance of the Philippine government. </p><p>&quot;As a uniformed service member, should he not be subject to the most basic standards of discipline and ethics? Why is he able to act so recklessly without being held accountable? We hope the Philippine side will provide clarification and an explanation,&quot; it said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/2/tarriela-slams-disingenuous-unclos-claims-by-chinese-envoy-1639">Tarriela slams &#x27;disingenuous&#x27; UNCLOS claims by Chinese envoy</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>TARRIELA: &#x27;THESE ARE NOT SMEARS&#x27;</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>In response, Tarriela branded the protest as &quot;an attempt to deflect from the core issue: China&#x27;s repeated aggressive and illegal actions in the West Philippine Sea,&quot; using the Filipino term for the waters immediately west of the country.</p><p>&quot;Article 41(1) of the Vienna Convention explicitly states that diplomatic missions must not interfere in the internal affairs of the host state. By pressuring our own government over my personal and professional expressions as the PCG spox on the WPS, the Chinese Embassy is engaging in precisely the interference it is obliged to avoid,&quot; Tarriela said on X.</p><p>The official said he was only documenting China&#x27;s aggression, shown by its dangerous maneuvers, intentional ramming, water cannon attacks, harassment of Filipino fishermen, and construction of artificial islands.</p><p>&quot;These are not &#x27;smears&#x27; or &#x27;slanders.&#x27; These are factual accounts backed by video evidence, photographs, official Philippine Coast Guard reports, and third-party observations—including satellite imagery and statements from other nations,&quot; he added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/31/pcg-challenges-chinese-research-vessel-operating-near-cagayan-waters-1756">PCG challenges Chinese research vessel operating near Cagayan waters</a></div><p>The West Philippine Sea, which Beijing claims historic rights to despite an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis, has been the site of repeated clashes between Chinese and Philippine vessels.</p><p>The PCG reported on Tuesday it<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/13/pcg-moves-to-protect-filipino-boat-harassed-by-china-near-scarborough-1204"> rescued a Filipino fishing vessel being &quot;harassed&quot; by Chinese ships</a> near Scarborough Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc.</p><p>In a televised interview earlier this week, National Maritime Council (NMC)  spokesperson Undersecretary Alexander Lopez<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/14/china-s-accusations-misleading-lack-legal-basis-national-maritime-council-1549"> rejected China’s claims that their operations are &quot;lawful&quot;</a>.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XnANVQFgsS4?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_taGk2VmsTQ?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines on Friday said it filed a protest against Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela for “attacking and smearing Chinese leaders” on social media, which it said amounted to a "political provocation."</p>

The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines on Friday said it filed a protest against Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela for “attacking and smearing Chinese leaders” on social media, which it said amounted to a "political provocation."

'Blatant political provocation': China protests PCG spox Tarriela's post with Xi image

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'Blatant political provocation': China protests PCG spox Tarriela's post with Xi image

Ched Rick Gatchalian,

ABS-CBN News,

Agence France-Presse

Published January 16, 2026 02:08 PM PHT

Read More:

Philippines

China

West Philippines Sea

Jay Tarriela

PCG

Guo Wei

Chinese embassy

Chinese vessels

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