Ched Rick Gatchalian

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Ejercito tells Chinese Embassy: No conflict if China respects PH sovereignty, desists from bullying Filipino fishermen

RG Cruz

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Sen. JV Ejercito reminded the Chinese Embassy on Friday that there would not have been a tense exchange of remarks had China just desisted from bullying Filipino fishers and officials and had respected Philippine sovereignty. Ejercito reiterated that diplomats should improve relations between countries as he urged respect for Filipinos, their officials, and the country&#x27;s sovereignty.&quot;Kung di naman nila tinataboy mga mangingisda natin, o binubully ang Philippine Coast Guard at inaatake mga opisyal ay wala sanang away! Respect begets respect,&quot; he said.(If they were not driving our fisherfolk away or bullying our Philippine Coast Guard or attacking our officials, there would be no conflict)Ejercito&#x27;s reaction came after the latest statement by Chinese Embassy Spokesperson Ji Lingpen firing back at Senate President Vicente Sotto III and the Senate.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/12/chinese-embassy-hits-back-at-sotto-statements-resolutions-pressuring-china-do-not-work-1357">Chinese Embassy hits back at Sotto: Statements, resolutions pressuring China &#x27;do not work&#x27;</a></div>&quot;There’s an &#x27;anti-China&#x27; resolution. Someone wants to declare Chinese diplomat &#x27;persona non grata&#x27;. But when the Chinese Embassy responds like any normal embassy would, some senators can’t get over that,&quot; the embassy&#x27;s statement read.Ji also pointed out that some senators — Ejercito is one of them — want Ambassador Jing Quan recalled.&quot;Who do they think they are? Do they even have the capability? They know they can’t do that, yet they keep repeating the same old tricks—always posturing, always bluffing,&quot; it also reads.The Palace has said replacing Jing is a decision for China to make.The embassy also warned that a breakdown in diplomatic relations could lead to job losses and other economic consequences.The word war between Chinese and Philippine officials had intensified after the Senate adopted a resolution condemning the remarks of Chinese officials against Philippine authorities over the West Philippine Sea. Sotto earlier called out Ji for allegedly wanting to silence the upper chamber by &quot;calling [them] hypocrites and ignorant&quot; for adopting the resolution against Chinese diplomats&#x27; comments.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/9/cayetano-pangilinan-clash-over-tarriela-resolution-on-china-1947">Senate adopts resolution condemning Chinese officials&#x27; remarks vs PH authorities after Pangilinan, Cayetano&#x27;s debate</a></div>

Senator JV Ejercito reminds the Chinese Embassy there won't be any conflict if China just desisted from bullying Filipino fishermen officials and respected Philippine sovereignty.

Senator JV Ejercito reminds the Chinese Embassy there won't be any conflict if China just desisted from bullying Filipino fishermen officials and respected Philippine sovereignty.

Ejercito to embassy: No conflict if China respects PH sovereignty, desists from bullying Filipinos

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Ejercito to embassy: No conflict if China respects PH sovereignty, desists from bullying Filipinos

RG Cruz,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 13, 2026 06:58 PM PHT

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JV Ejercito

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