The Chinese Embassy in Manila announced that the Philippine Ambassador has been summoned to Beijing amid accusations that Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Commodore Jay Tarriela, is allegedly conducting a “smear campaign” against China.
In a statement, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said the Philippine Ambassador was summoned to China to lodge a serious protest.
The spokesperson added that the Philippines has long appeared to turn a blind eye to what it described as the PCG spokesperson’s “inflammatory, confrontational, misleading, and baseless” statements against China on maritime issues.
China said such actions are unacceptable.
It can be recalled that Tarriela earlier said his posts and statements are not “smears” or “slanders.”
He maintained that these are facts supported by evidence such as videos, photographs, PCG reports, and third-party observations.
According to Tarriela, if the Chinese Embassy cannot accept the images and statements showing China’s alleged violations, it only means discomfort over the exposure of the truth.
