MANILA, Philippines — Amid an escalating diplomatic spat, the 1Sambayan political coalition is calling on the Philippine government to take a firmer stance against the Chinese Embassy in Manila, accusing it of utilizing social media to pressure, embarrass, and spread disinformation against Filipino officials.
In a statement released on Saturday, January 24, 2026, the coalition urged the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to go beyond typical diplomatic protests and consider more severe measures to defend national sovereignty.
The “Persona Non Grata” Call 1Sambayan specifically recommended that the government declare certain Chinese Embassy spokespersons as persona non grata if they are found to have engaged in inappropriate conduct or public attacks against Philippine public servants.
- Respectful Relations: The coalition argued that recent embassy statements fall short of international standards for state-to-state relations and undermine mutual trust.
- Summoning the Ambassador: They also called for the DFA to summon Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan to account for the embassy’s interference in domestic affairs, citing the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
Targeted Officials and “Bad Guest” Tag The call for action follows a series of social media posts by the Chinese Embassy targeting several lawmakers and officials, including:
- Senators Risa Hontiveros and Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, as well as Reps. Leila de Lima and Chel Diokno, for their stances on the West Philippine Sea.
- Commodore Jay Tarriela: The embassy filed a protest against the PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea after he posted AI-generated images of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Senator Hontiveros previously labeled China a “bad guest,” noting that after disrespecting Philippine seas, the embassy is now disrespecting Philippine officials who are simply performing their duties.
China’s “Push Back” In response to the criticism, the Chinese Embassy maintained in a Friday post that it has a “legitimate right” to push back against what it deems “fake news” and “defamation” of China. “We will not remain patient and silent. We will push back firmly without hesitation,” the embassy stated.
Combatting Influence Operations Beyond diplomatic measures, 1Sambayan urged a comprehensive review of domestic policies to counter foreign propaganda:
- Foreign Agent Registration Act: Reviewing the 1979 law to address modern “influence operations.”
- Sister City Arrangements: Scrutinizing DILG circulars on sister-city and sister-school ties with China to ensure they aren’t used for “united front work” that could compromise local governance.
- Proxy Actors: Identifying and countering local actors who may be employed to spread disinformation and sow social discord.
The coalition emphasized that public opinion is now a “strategic arena of competition,” requiring the Filipino people and government to defend it with “vigilance, unity, and an unwavering commitment to truth.”