Eduardo Ano said in an announcement that the Chinese embassy in Manila had orchestrated “repeated acts of engaging and spreading misinformation, disinformation and disinformation” to sow discord, division and disunity.
These actions “shouldn’t be left unpunished without serious punishment,” he said.
A spokesman for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday asked the Philippines to stop provocations and permit Chinese diplomats to perform their duties normally.
China has accused the Philippines of incursion and treason, while Manila has scolded Beijing for what it sees as a policy of aggression and dangerous maneuvers.
According to a transcript published by the Manila Times, the Philippine admiral agreed with China’s “recent model” proposal wherein the Philippines would use fewer ships on troop resupply missions on Second Thomas Shoal and notify Beijing of the missions prematurely.
Reuters didn’t hear the reported phone call and couldn’t confirm the contents of the published transcript. The report indicated that the conversation took place in January and that its transcript was provided by “a senior Chinese official” who was not named.
Ano said he supported the defense minister’s call for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take appropriate motion against embassy officials who he believed recorded the alleged telephone conversation in violation of Philippine law, including the anti-wiretapping law, in addition to a serious violation of diplomatic protocols.
“Those working within the Chinese embassy… and people answerable for these harmful influence and interference operations should be immediately expelled from the country,” he said.
Lin didn’t detail what details or communications were disclosed, but said “the facts are clear and supported by hard evidence that can’t be denied.”
“The Philippines insists on denying these objective facts and seeks to mislead the international community,” Lin added.
China has long been irked by the Philippines’ stationing of a small group of marines in Second Thomas Shoal aboard a warship that was deliberately grounded 25 years ago.
Beijing has repeatedly said the Philippines agreed to tow the ship, but Manila refused.
