NSC backs expulsion call for those behind alleged China-PH ‘new model’ deal recording

The National Security Council (NSC) on Friday expressed support for Defense Chief Gilbert Teodoro's call to expel Chinese embassy personnel responsible in recording the alleged conversation of the supposed “new model” deal over Ayungin Shoal.

“Those individuals in the Chinese Embassy responsible for violating Philippine laws and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and those responsible for these malign influence and interference operations must be removed from the country immediately,” National Security Adviser Secretary Eduardo Año said in a statement. 

Año believes that those behind the recording committed serious breaches of diplomatic protocols and conventions and violated the Anti-Wire Tapping Act.

“Without a doubt, these are serious breaches of the basic norms of international relations and diplomacy by the embassy,” he said.

“Bypassing official and long established channels and protocols, talking to officials without the requisite authorities or bona fides, then maliciously claiming that alleged discussions should bind the PH government is farcical, foolish, and reckless.”

Año called out the Chinese Embassy in Manila for the alleged dissemination of disinformation, misinformation, and malinformation, which he said, “should not be allowed to pass unsanctioned or without serious penalty.”

“We emphasize that the unmistakable objective of the PRC embassy in its indiscriminate releasing of these falsehoods and smears have been, and continues to be, to sow discord, division, and disunity between and among the Filipino people,” Año said.

Teodoro on Wednesday said those responsible in recording the alleged conversation should be expelled from the Philippines as this can be considered as a violation of the wiretapping law.

“Ito ay iiwanan namin sa DFA na alamin ang katotohanan kung ano talaga ang nangyari at kung ito talaga ay nangyari dahil ito ay gawain di umano ng Chinese embassy mismo na paglabag sa batas ng Republika ng Pilipinas,” said Teodoro.

(We will leave it to the DFA to find out the truth of what really happened. And if it really happened because allegedly the Chinese embassy violated the law of the Republic of the Philippines.)

“Dapat alamin kung sino ang responsable dito at alisin sa Republika ng Pilipinas (We must find out who is responsible for this and remove it from the Republic of the Philippines),” he added.

On Thursday, Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said diplomats should follow the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which states that "it is the duty of all persons... to respect the laws and regulations of the receiving State." —Joviland Rita/ VAL, GMA Integrated News