Locsin says sorry to Chinese envoy over expletives; Palace says to leave swearing to Duterte

MANILA, Philippines — Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. has apologized personally to Chinese ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian over his recent expletive-laced tweet towards China, Malacañang said Tuesday.

Locsin earlier told China to “get the f*ck out” of Philippine waters as Chinese vessels continue to remain in the West Philippine Sea.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Locsin explained to him that his remarks were prompted by circumstances that made him lose his temper.

“Kami ay nagkausap ni Secretary Locsin at pinaalam niya sa akin na personal siyang nag-apologize sa Chinese ambassador at ang mga nabanggit niya na salita ay dahil lang sa mga bagay bagay naging dahilan para uminit ang kanyang ulo,” Roque said in a Palace briefing.

(I talked with Secretary Locsin and he told me that he personally apologized to the Chinese ambassador and he told me that his remarks were due to things that made him lose his cool.)

Roque further said President Rodrigo Duterte also issued a directive to his Cabinet members to leave the swearing to him.

“Inuulit natin ang mensahe ng Presidente, sa larangan ng diplomasya, walang lugar ang pagmumura,” he said. “Ang sabi po ng mensahe ng Presidente sa lahat ng miyembro ng kanyang gabinete, ang Presidente lang ang pwede magmura, walang pwedeng gumaya sa kanya.”

(We reiterate the President’s message that curse words have no place in diplomacy… President Duterte told members of his Cabinet that he is the only one who can use curse words. His Cabinet members should not imitate him.)

Roque also said that Locsin’s remark is not the Philippines’ policy in dealing with China’s recent aggressions in the West Philippine Sea, adding that the foreign affairs chief was only expressing his personal views.

“Nililinaw ko po, upon express orders of the President na hindi po ito ang polisiya ng Pilipinas. Kinlaro po ito mismo ng ating Presidente,” he said.

In an earlier speech, Duterte said the country’s conflict with China over the disputed waters is not a reason to be “rude and disrespectful” towards them as they remain the country’s “benefactor.”

EDV