Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian has been declared 'persona non grata' by the municipal council of Kalayaan town in Palawan following the incident of the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) attacking Filipino vessels with a water canon in Ayungin Shoal.
Based on reports, Sangguniang Bayan Member Maurice Philip Alexis Albayda authored Resolution No. 125-015 shortly after Huang defended the harassment of China against Philippines vessels.
The Chinese Embassy has yet to issue a statement regarding the matter.
Earlier this month, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that the CCG dangerously maneuvered and illegally blasted water cannons on its PCG vessels near Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
The Philippines then sent a note verbale to Huang following the incident.
Foreign Affairs spokesperson Teresita Daza then urged China to adhere to its obligations and commitments under international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention for the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitration Ruling.
However, China, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, sought the removal of the military ship BRP Sierra Madre which it said to be "permanently" occupying Ren'ai Reef or Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
The claim was denied by President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. who said that BRP Sierra Madre will stay at the Ayungin Shoal.
Chinese Embassy deputy chief of Mission Zhou Zhiyong on Monday called on the Philippines to meet China halfway through diplomatic dialogues, saying a confrontational attitude will not bring any good to the bilateral relations between the Philippines and China.
