National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano has demanded the expulsion of Chinese diplomats accused of leaking a phone call between a Filipino admiral and a Chinese diplomat discussing supply transportation conditions to a Philippine-occupied shoal. Ano criticized the alleged dissemination of disinformation by the Chinese Embassy. The National Security Adviser backed a call by the Philippines’ defense chief for Manila’s foreign office to take actions against Chinese embassy individuals in violation of Philippine laws and international diplomatic protocols. The Chinese Embassy source claimed that a Filipino admiral had agreed to a new way of transporting supplies that required Manila to notify Beijing for offshore missions and promise not to bring construction materials.
Ano strongly stated that individuals in the Chinese Embassy responsible for violating Philippine laws and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations must be removed from the country immediately. He criticized the Chinese Embassy for engaging in and disseminating disinformation, misinformation, and mal-information. There have been reports of spurious transcripts or recordings of conversations between officials of the host country. The Department of Foreign Affairs did not confirm the news reports or the phone conversation and have not commented on Ano’s statement. The Chinese government and its embassy in Manila have not confirmed or denied the news reports.
In an escalating word war and diplomatic row, hostilities between Chinese and Philippine coast guard ships and other vessels have been ongoing since last year at the Second Thomas Shoal and Scarborough Shoal. The Chinese coast guard has used powerful water cannons, a military-grade laser, and dangerous maneuvers that have caused minor collisions, injuries to Filipino navy personnel, and damage to their supply boats. President Joe Biden and his administration have warned that the U.S. is obligated to defend the Philippines, its longtime treaty ally, if Filipino forces come under armed attack, including in the South China Sea where tensions are high.
Aside from China and the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan also have overlapping claims in the South China Sea. Many fear that a major escalation of conflicts in the region could draw U.S. forces into conflict with China’s military. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has demanded that the Philippines ensure Chinese diplomats are able to perform their duties and cease infringement and provocation. The situation in the South China Sea remains tense as Chinese and Philippine coast guard ships continue to clash, and the threat of further escalation looms. The situation has raised concerns about the potential for a larger conflict involving the U.S. and China in the region.
