Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Carlos Trazo

ABS-CBN News

MANILA - Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commodore Jay Tarriela has strongly responded to Chinese Embassy Deputy Spokesperson Guo Wei after he accused him of making “reckless and offensive attacks” against China’s head of state.“Mr. Guo Wei continues to deflect from the real issue: the repeated illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive actions of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea,” Tarriela said, stressing that his statements are grounded in documented incidents.He cited years of evidence of Chinese aggression: “Water cannons, ramming, military-grade lasers, intentional ramming, and reckless maneuvers that endanger Filipino fishermen and PCG personnel exercising our sovereign rights, as upheld by the 2016 Arbitral Award in the West Philippine Sea.” The Chinese embassy earlier claimed that Tarriela’s remarks could “bring more damage to the bilateral relations, or even lead to the mutual expulsion of diplomats,” calling such a scenario “extremely unfortunate and regrettable.”Tarriela countered that it is Beijing’s refusal to honor international law that strains ties. “It is China&#x27;s persistent refusal to respect UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award that strain bilateral relations, not the Philippine government&#x27;s transparent efforts to defend our maritime jurisdiction and our people,” he said. Backing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s position, Tarriela reiterated that Manila remains open to dialogue but will not compromise sovereignty. “I fully support President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.&#x27;s position that declaring any diplomat persona non grata is a measure of last resort. The Philippines remains open to dialogue, but we will never be silenced or intimidated when it comes to protecting our sovereignty, sovereign rights and maritime jurisdiction.”

Philippine Coast Guard Commodore Jay Tarriela cited years of evidence of Chinese aggression: “Water cannons, ramming, military-grade lasers, intentional ramming, and reckless maneuvers that endanger Filipino fishermen and PCG personnel exercising our sovereign rights."

Philippine Coast Guard Commodore Jay Tarriela cited years of evidence of Chinese aggression: “Water cannons, ramming, military-grade lasers, intentional ramming, and reckless maneuvers that endanger Filipino fishermen and PCG personnel exercising our sovereign rights."

Tarriela hits back at Chinese embassy: ‘Truth and accountability are not provocations’

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Tarriela hits back at Chinese embassy: ‘Truth and accountability are not provocations’

Carlos Trazo,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 01, 2026 12:28 AM PHT

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Updated February 01, 2026 12:39 AM PHT

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Jay Tarriela

Chinese Embassy

China

persona non grata

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