Enough of the war of words? Philippines urges its own officials to cool China rhetoric ahead of Asean summit

Manila, November 8 — The Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has issued a stern warning to government officials against making disparaging comments about China as the country prepares to attend a crucial regional summit. The rebuke comes after a series of public statements and heated exchanges between the Philippines and China over the contested South China Sea.

The military forces have been locked in a prolonged conflict with Beijing over the strategic waterway, with the Chinese government claiming sovereignty over nearly the entire region, despite a 2016 international court ruling that dismissed China's claims as lacking legal basis. In recent months, tensions have escalated, with both sides engaging in confrontations at sea.

The DFA's statement emphasized that the country's uniformed services, while indispensable in documenting incidents, must adhere to the civilian authority when it comes to international relations. The statement specifically addressed the armed forces and national security establishment, which have been embroiled in months of bitter exchanges on social media with the Chinese Embassy.

Defence Minister Gilberto Teodoro was barred from visiting China this year due to his "irresponsible remarks". In a phone call with his Philippine counterpart last week, China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, urged Manila to rein in politicians who had "smeared" Beijing and overstepped its "red lines".

The DFA's message is intended to reassure China that the Philippines can maintain control over its foreign policy while simultaneously calling for continued diplomatic dialogue anchored on mutual respect. The upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit, where Manila will host world leaders including US President Donald Trump and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, is viewed as an opportunity for the Philippines to demonstrate its ability to manage differences with China amicably.