Senate Deputy Majority Leader Risa Hontiveros attends a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on January 19, 2026. (Courtesy: Senate of the Philippines)
Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday called on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to act against what she described as public attacks by the Chinese Embassy on Philippine officials defending the country’s position in the West Philippine Sea.
In a letter to Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro, Hontiveros sought clarification on how the DFA plans to ensure that foreign diplomatic missions observe proper conduct and refrain from publicly targeting Filipino officials.
Her appeal followed a recent social media post by the Chinese Embassy criticizing Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tariela.
“Binabastos na nga ng Tsina ang ating karagatan, binabastos pa ang mga opisyal natin (China is already showing disrespect toward our waters, and now they are disrespecting our officials as well),” the senator said.
“We must not allow the Chinese Embassy — or any embassy, for that matter — to disrespect public servants who are simply defending what is rightfully ours.”
She stressed that the Philippine foreign service has consistently upheld the principle that disputes between states should be addressed through established diplomatic channels, not through public pressure campaigns directed at individual officials.
Hontiveros warned that failure to respond could normalize foreign interference, undermine the dignity of Philippine institutions, and put at risk officials tasked with protecting national interests.
“Masyado namang pa-victim ang Chinese Embassy (They are playing the victim card too much). It is their country that fires water cannons at our personnel, threatens our fisherfolk, and destroys our marine environment,” she said.
“We will continue to speak the truth, regardless of how it is received.”
