President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. thumbed down the appeal to recall or send Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian home in China following the tension in the West Philippine Sea.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Dec. 18, Marcos said Xilian's act of conveying the Chinese government's narrative is part of his work.
"Kung ayun ang gusto ibigay sa atin ng Ambassador ng China, kung talagang objection from Beijing [...] I think Ambassador Huang is just doing his job, he is continuing to state the Chinese narrative. Of course, we don't agree with that narrative. But I think I cannot see him doing anything else," he said.
The President believes that there is no reason to "lose temper, get upset, [and] overreact."
In addition to this, Marcos pointed out that the fact that appointing Xilian's replacement would not change anything.
"The truth is, kapag pinalitan si Ambassador Xilian, pareho pa rin ang sasabihin nung susunod ng Ambassador kasi ayun ang linya ng China. Hindi titigil iyan," he said.
"That's why we cannot overeact. Magkamali tayo, e di malaking gulo," the President added.
Marcos furthered that he preferred to discuss the tension between the Philippines and China in a peaceful manner.
"Of course, I wished we will talk about it over the table as opposed to colliding with each other's ships in the open sea. Of course, I prefer the less confrontational method of trying to decide these things. But it is what it is," he remarked.
Last week, Senate President Juan Miguel 'Migz' Zubiri and Senator JV Ejercito appealed to recall Xilian due to his alleged failure to raise the Philippines' concern in the West Philippine Sea to China.
