Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez (PHOTO FROM THE OFFICIAL FACEBOOK
PAGE OF THE EMBASSY OF THE PHILIPPINES IN WASHINGTON)
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Embassy in Washington trashed the Chinese embassy’s remarks against Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez, emphasizing that the official is “not a mouthpiece for another country” nor is “spreading erroneous threats.”
In a statement sent to INQUIRER.net, the Philippine Embassy in Washington simply stated that none of China’s remarks were true.
“Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez is not a mouthpiece for another country nor is he spreading erroneous China threat and Sinophobia remarks,” said the Washington embassy.
“His statements regarding the developments in the South China Sea have been consistent with the position expressed by the Philippine Government’s highest officials, particularly regarding the threat posed by unlawful, aggressive and provocative actions of the Chinese Coast Guard and Chinese maritime militia against Philippine vessels and personnel and Filipino fishermen,” it emphasized.
Romualdez was earlier criticized by China after he stated that the West Philippine Sea is the “real flashpoint” of armed conflict in Asia.
According to the Chinese Embassy, Romualdez’ remark “hyped up the South China Sea issue and made speculations and malicious smears against China.”
The embassy proceeded to urge Romualdez to “stop spreading erroneous China threat and Sinophobia remarks, [and] refrain from serving as a mouthpiece for another country.
China’s provocative actions, according to the Philippine Embassy, include the use of lasers, water cannons, and other dangerous maneuvers in violation of international maritime regulations.
“Conflating Philippine efforts to defend its territorial and maritime entitlements with serving the interests of another country negates the Philippines’ legitimate rights and interests to protect and defend our nation’s sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea, and the Philippine Government will not stand for it,” it stressed.
The embassy said the Philippine government remained committed to international rules-based order, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 Arbitral Award.