18 October 2026
STATEMENT OF SENATOR JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA ON CALLS TO DECLARE CHINESE AMBASSADOR JING QUAN PERSONA NON GRATA
Calls to declare Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan persona non grata are understandable. His recent remarks that Beijing “may easily win” if it wants to use force were unfortunate and unconstructive.
While I share the concern and indignation his words have stirred, we must protest strongly and demand respect, without closing the doors of dialogue. Walang magandang idudulot ang padalus-dalos na pagkilos bilang tugon sa mga sinabi ng Chinese envoy.
Madaling sabihin ang pagdedeklara ng persona non grata, pero ang pananagutan sa magiging kahihinatnan nito ay hindi madaling pasanin.
Our firmness is best shown not by raising our voices, but by standing steadfastly on the law, on the facts, and on our rights. Ang 2016 Arbitral Award, na siyang pundasyon ng ating paninindigan na atin ang West Philippine Sea, ay hindi opinyon; ito ay batas na dapat sundin ng lahat. Hindi lakas ang magtatakda kung kanino ang West Philippine Sea, kundi ang batas at katotohanan, at malinaw na nasa ating panig ang mga ito.
Kung kapayapaan talaga ang hangad ng Beijing, dapat nitong igalang ang 2016 Arbitral Award. Ang tunay na kaibigan at kapitbahay ay hindi ipinagyayabang ang kakayahang manakit.
I call on all sides to exercise restraint and to choose the path of diplomacy, mutual respect, and the rule of law.