The Chinese Embassy in Manila has filed a diplomatic protest against Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tarriela over a social media post that showed cartoon images of President Xi Jinping.
Since last week, Tarriela and an embassy official have exchanged greetings regarding issues in the South China Sea, a key port claimed by Beijing despite international rulings that its claim has no legal basis. There have also been frequent collision between Chinese and Philippine vessels in this area.
In Tarriela's post on Wednesday, she can be seen giving a speech, while in the background are comical images of Xi with the caption "Why China remains to be bully?"
The embassy warned against the post, calling it an "attack and defamation of Chinese leaders," and also said it was a "blatant political provocation" that "crossed a red line." The embassy expressed its "strong indignation" to the Presidential Palace, Department of Foreign Affairs, and Coast Guard, and demanded an explanation for Tarriela's so-called "malicious provocations."
In her response, Tarriela called the protest an "attempt to divert attention" from the real issue: China's "repeated aggressive and illegal actions in the West Philippine Sea." She said that if the embassy is disgusted by images or expressions depicting violations—even through satire—it only shows their discomfort with the reality being shown to the public.