Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla (INQUIRER.net file photo)
MANILA CITY, Philippines— Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Tuesday ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct an in-depth investigation into the reported illegal and unlawful activities of Chinese diplomats.
Remulla issued the order after the Chinese Embassy mentioned a recorded conversation between its diplomat and an official of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command on a “new model” regarding the West Philippine Sea.
“Diplomatic immunity should never be used as a license to exploit our country’s peace and harmony for selfish motives,” Remulla said in a statement.
Remulla pointed out that diplomats who enjoy privileges and immunities have the “duty to respect the laws and regulations of the receiving state.”
Under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the DOJ said “diplomats, employees of international organizations and their immediate family members are covered by a certain degree of diplomatic immunity during their stay in a receiving State.”
“However, diplomatic immunity is only concerning official acts performed in the exercise of official duties and functions necessary for advocating international comity, policies, and interests,” Remulla said.