Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS), Commodore Jay Tarriela, dismissed China’s diplomatic protest against him as “an attempt to deflect from the core issue.”

In a post on X, Tarriela cited Article 41(1) of the Vienna Convention, which states that diplomatic missions must not interfere in the internal affairs of the host state.

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“By pressuring our own government over my personal and professional expressions as the PCG spokesperson on the WPS, the Chinese Embassy is engaging in precisely the interference it is obliged to avoid,” Tarriela said.

He stressed that his role as WPS spokesperson is to provide transparent information to the Filipino people and the international community in line with the Philippine government’s commitment to a rules-based order and international law.

Tarriela said his statements merely documented China’s actions in the disputed waters, including dangerous maneuvers, intentional ramming, water cannon attacks, harassment of Filipino fishermen, and the construction of artificial islands.

“These are not ‘smears’ or ‘slanders.’ These are factual accounts backed by video evidence, photographs, official Philippine Coast Guard reports, and third-party observations—including satellite imagery and statements from other nations,” he added.

China has lodged diplomatic protests against Tarriela over social media posts against its leaders but the Filipino official said his statements were based on “factual accounts.”

In a statement on Friday, the Chinese Embassy in Manila called out Tarriela for publicly posting images on social media “attacking and smearing Chinese leaders.”

“This constitutes a serious violation of China’s political dignity and a blatant political provocation, which has crossed the red line,” the Chinese embassy said.

“China expresses strong indignation and strongly deplores this, and has lodged solemn representations with the Malacañan Palace, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Philippine Coast Guard,” it added.

The West Philippine Sea, which Beijing claims historic rights to despite an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis, has been the site of repeated clashes between Chinese and Philippine vessels.

The PCG reported on Tuesday it rescued a Filipino fishing vessel being “harassed” by Chinese ships near Scarborough Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc.

In a televised interview earlier this week, National Maritime Council (NMC) spokesperson Undersecretary Alexander Lopez rejected China’s claims that their operations are “lawful.”

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