MANILA – Senator Erwin Tulfo criticized the Chinese Embassy in Manila after it publicly condemned statements made by several Philippine officials on the West Philippine Sea issue.

“You have no right to censure our officials for their statements about you taking away our territory—territory that has been proven to be ours,” Tulfo said.

The senator’s remarks followed a statement by Chinese Embassy Manila Deputy Spokesperson Guo Wei, who said that freedom of speech is not a license to smear others, particularly leaders of other countries.

Guo also cited a recent social media post by Philippine Coast Guard West Philippine Sea spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela, which featured AI-generated images of Chinese President Xi Jinping appearing angry, flexing his muscles, and holding a boat with a small Philippine flag.

Tulfo responded by saying Chinese embassy officials are free to leave the country if they do not agree with how democracy operates in the Philippines.

“If Chinese Embassy officials do not like how democracy works in the Philippines, they can leave anytime,” he said.

“Our house, our rules. Freedom of speech is in our Constitution,” Tulfo added.

The senator further said Chinese officials cannot impose their system in the Philippines, citing the lack of freedom of speech in China.

“They cannot do it their way here because there is no freedom of speech in their country. Critics there are jailed, media is silenced, and opinions are controlled,” he said.

Tulfo urged Chinese officials to respect the country’s laws and institutions.

“If you want respect from Filipinos, then respect our Constitution. Respect our officials. Respect our freedom of speech. And respect the simple truth that this is not your country,” he said.