Palace backs PH officials amid China’s ‘undiplomatic’ remarks

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

NATIONAL INTEREST. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro answers questions during a press briefing at Malacañang on Monday (Jan. 26, 2026), reiterating President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to defend Philippine sovereignty and national interests. Castro said the President fully supports government officials lawfully asserting the country’s rights, particularly in the West Philippine Sea. (PCO photo)

MANILA – Malacañang on Monday said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. fully supports Philippine officials defending the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), as China steps up public criticism of Filipino figures who are vocal against Beijing’s illegal activities.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the President has given clear instructions to government agencies to assert Philippine interests and sovereignty, adding that Marcos will not yield any part of the country’s territory.

“Ang Pangulo po ang nagsabi na hindi niya isu-surrender even an inch of our territory (The President himself has said that he will not surrender even a square inch of our territory),” Castro said in a press briefing in Malacañang.

“Anuman ang ginagawa ng ating mga ahensya upang ipaglaban ang interes ng bansa, iyan ang utos ng Pangulo… But, mananatili pa ring diplomasya ang kailangan (So whatever the agencies are doing in pushing for the interest of the country, that’s the President’s order. But we will remain diplomatic).”

Castro said the Palace stands by Philippine officials as long as their actions are lawful and aligned with the country’s advocacy to protect its maritime rights.

“Kapag ang ginagawa ng mga ahensya at kanilang mga pinuno ay naaayon sa batas at sa adbokasiya ng bansa, sinusuportahan po sila ng Pangulo (If the agencies and their heads’ actions are lawful and in accordance with our advocacy, the President supports them),” she said, confirming that Marcos stands by their public statements.

The Palace’s remarks came as the Chinese Embassy in Manila publicly criticized several Filipino officials, including Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela and lawmakers who have spoken out against China’s activities in the WPS.

In a separate statement, the National Security Council (NSC) described the recent public statements by the Chinese Foreign Ministry and its embassy in Manila as “undiplomatic and uncalled for,” saying these go beyond individual officials and undermine Philippine institutions.

The NSC said Philippine officials are duty-bound to inform the public on national security developments and do not require approval from any foreign government.

It also said public messaging that intimidates or seeks to silence officials violates diplomatic norms and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

The Council reiterated that the 2016 arbitral ruling under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea invalidated China’s so-called nine-dash line and affirmed the Philippines’ maritime rights, noting that China’s continued refusal to comply with the ruling remains the root of tensions in the West Philippine Sea.