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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider China files protests vs Tarriela after 'smearing, attacking' Xi

China files protests vs Tarriela after 'smearing, attacking' Xi

Published Jan 16, 2026 11:00 am  |  Updated Jan 16, 2026 01:19 pm
Photo from PCG spokesman Jay Tarriela's Facebook page
Photo from PCG spokesman Jay Tarriela's Facebook page
​The Chinese Embassy in Manila has filed a diplomatic protest against Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman Jay Tarriela, known for exposing China's supposed illegal activities in the West Philippine Sea, before Malacañang and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for supposedly smearing and attacking Chinese leaders in his social media posts.
After engaging with Tarriela in an extensive word war that started in late December, the embassy already sought Malacañang and the DFA's diplomatic intervention.
The embassy did so after Tarriela, in a recent engagement with students of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, talked about China's supposed bullying of Filipinos in the West Philippine Sea and showed a satirical image of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
"This constitutes a serious violation of China's political dignity and a blatant political provocation, which has crossed the red line," the embassy said.
"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 (PCG)," it added.
The embassy claimed that Tarriela "has persistently hyped up maritime issues" in recent years, and "confounded right and wrong, misrepresented facts, incited confrontation, misled public opinion, undermined China’s national interests and dignity, impacted mutual trust and cooperation between China and the Philippines, and disrupted diplomatic efforts to improve bilateral relations between the two countries."
"China has been and will continue to take firm countermeasures in response," the embassy warned.
The embassy also asked if Tarriela's "smears and slanders" as spokesman of the PCG "represent the stance of the Philippine government?"
"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," the embassy added.
"China once again reiterates that China and the Philippines should choose peace over conflict, dialogue over confrontation, and cooperation over tension. We welcome more positive signals such as visa-free policies, and we oppose any attempts to interfere with or undermine efforts to improve China–Philippines relations," it said.

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PH-China West Philippine Sea Jay Tarriela Chinese Embassy in Manila
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