Chinese Embassy, PCG official clash online over maritime claims

MANILA, August 25 ------ The Chinese Embassy in Manila and Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, traded sharp words on social media, accusing each other of spreading false claims about the situation in the West Philippine Sea.

The online exchange began when Tarriela posted a message describing the struggle against online misinformation: “Countering Beijing’s disinformation is exhausting. It is frustrating. Some days it is disappointing,” Tarriela wrote. He added that he remains determined to respond to misleading claims, saying that accepting false narratives would mean giving up national interests for future generations. “But I will answer every lie — because this fight was never about me… If China wins the battle of narratives and teaches us to accept defeat, the loss will not be ours alone. It will belong to the Filipino children not yet born, who will grow up believing what is ours was never worth defending,” he said. “The truth shall set us all free,” Tarriela added.

Shortly after, the Chinese Embassy in Manila posted a response attributed to Deputy Spokesperson Guo Wei. The statement pushed back against Tarriela’s claims and questioned his motives. “It must be exhausting to tell lies after lies and fabricate one lie to make up for the other,” Guo wrote. The statement questioned who instructs Tarriela to “work so hard” at “attacking and smearing China day after day.”

Guo advised the official to “stop lying and making things up” if he finds his role frustrating. The embassy official also disputed Tarriela’s standing to represent the Philippine public, claiming that both Chinese and Filipino citizens prefer peace and development over conflict. “Tariella repeatedly attempts to stir up public sentiment against China, as though he speaks for the Filipino people. He cannot. Both Chinese and Filipino peoples want peace, stability, and development—not conflict, confrontation, or war. Yet Tarriela tries to inflame tensions and provoke confrontation with lies and twisted narratives,” the social media post read. “If he speaks for anyone at all, he speaks only for those behind him who are intent on sowing discord and undermining China-Philippines relations,” the deputy spokesperson added.

The public exchange reflects the continuing tensions between the two countries over their competing claims in disputed waters.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com