Joselito Malig

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ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Chinese embassy in the Philippines on Tuesday denounced what it claimed are &quot;false narratives&quot; against China being spread by the spokesperson of the Philippine Coast Guard.In a <a href="https://web.facebook.com/ChinaEmbassyManila/posts/pfbid02hLkKmBZWCsfMDeDU4NpkXWoV49KKPc2LsFGRjHB9j3VumE34wqEdrvobT9ukGqvl?_rdc=1&amp;_rdr#">lengthy post on Facebook</a>, embassy spokesperson Ji Linpeng accused Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela of attacking and smearing China through his social media posts.Ji claimed that Tarriela and “certain individuals and institutions in the Philippines” have been “relentlessly attacking and smearing China and spreading false narratives” over the past four weeks.“China firmly opposes and strongly condemns such kind of words and actions. We have firmly responded and made serious démarches to the Philippine side in both Beijing and Manila,” Ji added.According to Ji, Tarriela was involved in several incidents of making defamatory remarks against China, which he believes undermined China-Philippines relations and “poisoned” public opinion in the Philippines toward China.Among the incidents mentioned by Ji was the December 25 incident where a Filipino fisherman was rescued by the Chinese Navy.“This was a purely humanitarian act. Yet Tarriela took to social media to dismiss the rescue as “propaganda” and a “PR stunt” and lied that the Philippine Coast Guard did not receive any information about the fisherman in distress from the Chinese Navy,” Ji said, adding that on-site audio recording showed that the Chinese Navy informed the PCG of the incident.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/26/pcg-questions-china-s-humanitarian-act-to-filipino-fisherman-1506">PCG questions China’s &#x27;humanitarian act&#x27; to Filipino fisherman</a></div>Ji also noted how Tarriela used a caricature of Chinese President Xi Jinping in a presentation at a Philippine university, “which constituted a serious infringement on China’s political dignity and crossed the line.”After he was called out, Tarriela accused China of trying to silence him, and claimed China was interfering in Philippine internal affairs, Ji added.“According to incomplete statistics, in 2025 alone Tarriela posted 195 Facebook posts attacking and smearing China. In December alone, he posted 21 such items—on average, one such post every working day. Is relentlessly attacking China, inciting hostility, and misleading public opinion part of the mandate of a Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson?” Ji said.Ji, likewise, highlighted the friendship between China and the Philippines, and how the two countries have always cooperated with each other. However, he lamented that in recent years, “certain forces in the Philippines have repeatedly hyped up maritime disputes and fueled confrontation between the two peoples.”“If people like Tarriela continue to spread disinformation and distorted narratives unchecked, even the strongest diplomatic efforts to stabilize bilateral relations will be undermined, and even more development opportunities will be lost for the Philippines,” he also said.Ji reiterated that China’s response to statements regarding the issue in the South China Sea have been “factual, reasoned and justified”, and it is part of the mandate of the Embassy to defend China’s national interests and dignity.“We welcome constructive dialogue and discussion, including on differences and disputes. What we oppose are baseless attacks and smears. If falsehoods are spread, if China is maliciously vilified, if hatred is incited, we will not tolerate it. We will respond firmly and without hesitation. This is a right granted under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and a core duty of any Chinese embassy,” Ji explained.“People like Tarriela often claim that the Philippines is a democracy and values freedom of speech. Then why can’t they have normal debates with us? Some say they are disrespected, yet they show no respect to others,” also said.Finally, Ji said the Chinese Embassy remains committed to maintaining and stabilizing China-Philippines relations, and is open to dialogues and consultation.“We aim to stabilize China-Philippines relations, not drive confrontation; to bring our peoples closer, not apart. We remain firmly committed to managing differences through dialogue and consultation, while resolutely safeguarding China’s national interests and dignity,” he said.“Those who hope China will remain silent in the face of attacks are completely mistaken. As long as falsehoods continue, China will continue to respond, without pause. We will continue to say no to them loudly and clearly. Those who think they can pressure China through statements, resolutions, or endless complaints underestimate us,” Ji added.Tarriela on Monday admitted that he was surprised by China’s strong reaction to the Philippines’ transparency initiative, noting that Beijing previously chose to ignore releases on maritime incidents.Tarriela also pointed to a shift in China’s approach following the appointment of a new ambassador to the Philippines, claiming that Beijing’s mission now includes actively countering transparency efforts and amplifying its presence on social media.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/26/tarriela-surprised-by-china-s-backlash-vs-ph-s-transparency-efforts-1750">Tarriela surprised by China’s backlash vs PH’s transparency efforts</a></div>The Chinese embassy last week said Beijing&#x27;s Foreign Ministry summoned Philippine Ambassador to China Jaime Flor Cruz to &quot;again lodge serious protest&quot; over PCG spokesman Jay Tarriela&#x27;s Facebook post that 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;China&#x27;s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Philippines has “turned a blind eye” on Tarriela’s “inflammatory, confrontational, misleading and baseless remarks against China.”<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><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2026/1/23/china-summons-ph-envoy-over-tarriela-s-critics-1005">China summons PH envoy over coast guard&#x27;s Xi images; Tarriela says &#x27;threats will not silence truth&#x27;</a></div>

The Chinese embassy in the Philippines on Tuesday denounced what it claimed are "false narratives" against China being spread by the spokesperson of the Philippine Coast Guard.

The Chinese embassy in the Philippines on Tuesday denounced what it claimed are "false narratives" against China being spread by the spokesperson of the Philippine Coast Guard.

Chinese embassy claims Tarriela ‘attacking and smearing’ China

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Chinese embassy claims Tarriela ‘attacking and smearing’ China

ABS-CBN News

Published January 28, 2026 01:05 AM PHT

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China

Jay Tarriela

Philippine Coast Guard

West Philippine Sea

Chinese Embassy in the Philippines

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