The Philippine Navy said Philippine troops remain unaffected by the Chinese embassy’s public attacks against Philippine officials and institutions, stressing that military morale remains high despite the ongoing war of words.
Navy spokesperson Roy Vincent Trinidad said frontline soldiers fully understand the issues and remain focused on their mandate.
Tensions escalated after officials of Kalayaan, Palawan, declared Chinese embassy diplomats persona non grata, prompting China to ban 16 Kalayaan town officials from entering the mainland, Hong Kong, and Macau.
The Department of Foreign Affairs criticized China’s move, urging calm and respectful dialogue, while former senator Francis Tolentino rejected claims that the Philippines lacks clear territorial coordinates in the West Philippine Sea.
Meanwhile, lawmakers and groups dismissed Chinese embassy warnings of economic repercussions, saying such threats would not silence Philippine officials.
Source: PhilNews24 | February 16, 2026
