DFA says to probe ‘illegal, unlawful’ activities by foreign diplomats
THE Department of Foreign Affairs said it would “look into” any reports of unlawful or illegal activities conducted by foreign diplomats in the Philippines.
The DFA was deliberately silent on who it was referring to and did not provide the entire context of the statement.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs will look into any reports of illegal and unlawful activities by diplomatic officials, and undertake necessary action in line with existing laws and regulations,” it said in a statement Monday.
The vague statement came a few days after Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano pressed the DFA to expel the
Chinese diplomat responsible for releasing the supposed transcript of conversation with a military commander.
The transcript, published in other media outlets, seemed to show then Western Command chief
Vice Adm. Alberto Carlos striking a deal with an unnamed Chinese Embassy official on the deployment of rotation and resupply (RORE) mission to Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
Carlos reportedly agreed that only one civilian boat, escorted by one Philippine Coast Guard vessel, will be deployed to provide humanitarian supplies to the Filipino soldiers in the rusting World War II naval ship BRP Sierra Madre that it regards as a sentinel at Ayungin Shoal.
China’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that its embassy in Manila “released details about the relevant communication between the two sides.”
Last week, the DFA cautioned the public against “falling for false narratives.”
Likewise, it reminded the Chinese Embassy to be mindful of its obligations under international law “to respect the rules and regulations” of the Philippines and “not to interfere in the internal affairs of the State.”
On Monday, the DFA said foreign diplomats are accorded “the necessary liberties to conduct their diplomatic duties.”
In return, they are expected to “conduct their activities with the highest standards of integrity and professionalism, in pursuit of common interests and mutually beneficial outcomes.”
e ambiguous statement from the DFA also came a few days after senior diplomatic officials from China and the Philippines met in Jakarta.
DFA Undersecretary Ma. eresa Lazaro and China Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong met at the sidelines of the China-asean Senior Officials Consultations last week.
“I met with Chinese Vice FM Sun Weidong to discuss maritime issues, with a view to enhancing regional peace and stability. I looked forward to continuing our dialogue on issues of common concern,” Lazaro posted on X.