Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

MANILA – Philippine Coast Guard Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela on Saturday said he would not apologize to the Chinese government for the alleged caricature of Chinese President Xi Jinping during one of his presentations.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;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; <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/16/china-s-embassy-in-ph-accuses-tarriela-of-attacking-smearing-chinese-leaders-1408">&#x27;Blatant political provocation&#x27;: China protests PCG spox Tarriela&#x27;s post with Xi image </a> </div>During the Saturday news forum, Tarriela said he does not see the reason to do so.“There is no authority for the Chinese embassy for us to explain. Why would I apologize? Because of the caricature? I didn&#x27;t even mention na si President Xi Jinping yun,” the official told reporters.“Sino ba ang mga caricature na ginawan na rin nila na national leader? Ang intention talaga ng Chinese embassy is to justify yung panawagan nila to silence me,” he added.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.The PCG reported on Tuesday it rescued a Filipino fishing vessel being harassed by Chinese ships near Scarborough Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc.

Philippine Coast Guard Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela on Saturday said he would not apologize to the Chinese government for the alleged caricature of Chinese President Xi Jinping during one of his presentations.

Philippine Coast Guard Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela on Saturday said he would not apologize to the Chinese government for the alleged caricature of Chinese President Xi Jinping during one of his presentations.

Tarriela says won’t apologize over alleged caricature of Xi Jinping

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Tarriela says won’t apologize over alleged caricature of Xi Jinping

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 17, 2026 05:50 PM PHT

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Jay Tarriela

West Philippine Sea

Xi Jinping

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