The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) warned not to believe what they called China's "false narratives," where it uses tactics by releasing suspicious and "unverifiable recordings".

This warning follows reports that released alleged transcripts or audio recordings of a conversation between the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Command (AFP-WESCOM) and an unnamed Chinese diplomat regarding a "new model" arrangement to spearhead Ayungin Shoal.

According to the DFA, the only purpose of such tactics is to antagonize and disrupt various government agencies and confuse the public.

"Diplomats should strictly adhere to the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (VCDR), particularly Article 41 thereof, which states that "it is the duty of all persons... to respect the laws and regulations of the receiving state. They also have a duty not to interfere with the affairs of that state," the DFA remarked.

De Castro said, "Diplomats could only deal with their fellow diplomats. So, the Chinese Embassy should deal with the Department of Foreign Affairs."

"Bakit po ang isang diplomat na below the rank of the ambassador could deal directly with the WESCOM? That should not be the case. So, pinapakita lamang nito na Chinese embassy violates the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations," said de Castro.

Asked what the DFA must do on the matter, de Castro said the DFA must remind the Chinese embassy that it is "not their task to approach Philippine officials and everyone outside the DFA."

When asked if such a diplomat could be prosecuted for violating the country's anti-wiretapping law, de Castro said that diplomats are protected or have diplomatic immunity, so what the government can do is declare him persona non grata.

#LiveSaDZRH: Dr. Renato De Castro, International Affairs Analyst and Professor, De La Salle University#Balansyado#SamaSamaTayoPilipinohttps://t.co/TfCin8QMMU pic.twitter.com/qk9oBxfsuE

— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) May 8, 2024