Overview
- The Chinese Embassy in Manila filed a formal protest on Jan 16 over a Jan 14 Facebook post by PCG spokesman Jay Tarriela that showed comical images of Xi Jinping.
- The embassy condemned the post as an attack on Chinese leaders and a violation of China's political dignity, and it demanded explanations from Philippine authorities.
- Tarriela rejected the move as intimidation and a deflection from what he called China's aggressive and illegal actions in the West Philippine Sea.
- NMC spokesperson Alexander Lopez said Beijing's personal attacks on Filipino officials reflect a weak legal position, citing UNCLOS and the 2016 arbitral ruling to defend Philippine patrols.
- The exchange followed a reported incident near Bajo de Masinloc where PLAN 621 and CCGV 23521 approached a Filipino fishing boat within about 30 meters, prompting the PCG to deploy BRP Cape San Agustin.