Former House quad-committee (quad-comm) overall chairman Robert Ace Barbers gave China a piece of his mind upon learning of the Asian giant's recent ballistic missile test in the South Pacific.

Barbers, currently House impeachment adviser and spokesperson of the prosecution panel in the trial against Vice President Sara Duterte, questioned the missile test's propriety and timing in a way that only he could do.

He noted the launch was carried out at a time when Filipinos were distracted by internal affairs, one of which was the impeachment trial against the country’s second highest official.

Barbers says that Beijing may be taking advantage of the situation.

"Yes I believe so [they're taking advantage of the situatio]...lahat ng kanilang ginagawa ay hindi nagdudulot ng peace sa region at harmonious relationship with their neighbors," he said.

(Everything that they do does not contribute to peace in the region and to the harmonious relationship with their neighbors.)

"Wag naman kayong balasubas (Don't be unscrupulous). I won't even translate that. Your spies here know what that means," said the former three-term Surigao del Norte congressman.

Vice President Duterte's Senate impeachment trial officially began last July 6. The topic has dominated discussions in the public space, both online and offline.

The Department of National Defense (DND) recently aired concern about China’s missile testing, which it called "a reckless display of military power that shows little regard for smaller countries and the fragile ecological systems that sustain their people".

"This launch serves no peaceful purpose and is a calculated act of taunting and provocation against those who reject China’s illegal expansionism and coercive conduct," DND Spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong said.

The fiery Barbers subsequently gave this advice to China, in case it wants to fix its image before the international community.

"If indeed they want to be treated as a big brother of nations in this continent they should show respect and sincerity in following our international laws recognized by Chinas neighbors.

"But right now, instead of a big brother, they're acting like a big bully," Barbers said.

As overall chairman of the quad-comm in the previous 19th Congress, Barbers led investigations on alleged Chinese spies in the Philippines, as well as the criminal activities linked to the now-outlawed Philippine offshore and gaming operators (POGO).

The Philippines is also about to celebrate the 10th anniversary of its landmark July 12, 2016 arbitral case victory from the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague. The ruling invalidated China’s sweeping nine-dash line claim over the South China Sea.