Marcos opposes calls to declare Chinese envoy persona non grata
PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro (Betheena Unite)
President Marcos has rejected calls to declare Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan persona non grata over his remarks against Filipino officials.
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the President strongly said "no" to the possibility of declaring the Chinese envoy persona non grata.
"No. No ang sagot ng Pangulo...Pag tungkol sa ganyang issues, sabi ng Pangulo: no (No. The President's answer is no...When it comes to such issues, the President said: no)," Castro told reporters in an interview on Friday, Jan. 30.
"Basta ang sagot ng Pangulo, patungkol sa panawagan na ideklarang persona non grata ang isang ambassador, no (The President’s response regarding the call to declare an ambassador persona non grata was simply no)," Castro stressed.
The Palace official earlier said that any move to declare Chinese embassy officials persona non grata would be treated as a last resort, stressing that such action carries serious diplomatic consequences and must be carefully weighed.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) also warned that declaring persona non grata carries “tremendous implications,” including possible reciprocal actions and countermeasures that could affect broader Philippine strategic interests.
A "word war" has ensued between the Chinese Embassy and several Filipino officials over issues in the West Philippine Sea.
The Chinese Ambassador made a pronouncement that would be willing to leave the Philippines if President Marcos asked him to do so.