MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday addressed calls in Congress to declare diplomatic personnel of the Chinese Embassy as persona non grata, warning that such action is among the most severe measures in diplomacy and should be treated as a last resort.

In a statement, the DFA said it “takes note of the proposed resolutions in both Houses of the Philippine Congress that calls for declaring diplomatic personnel of the Chinese Embassy as persona non grata.”

The department stressed that the declaration of persona non grata is “one of the most severe forms of diplomatic action that can be imposed by the government against foreign diplomatic personnel.”

“While it is within the remit of the DFA, such an action is an option of last resort, second only to downgrading of relations, when diplomatic relations with a certain country has seriously fractured that no intervening remedy can stabilize the interaction and engagement,” it said.

The DFA also warned of possible repercussions, noting that such a move “carries tremendous implications moving forward, such as reciprocal action or other countermeasures in other areas,” and should therefore not be taken lightly.

“It should not be made lightly and decided only with careful and clear thought and preparedness for how it will shape the Philippines’ strategic interests moving forward,” the department added.

The DFA reiterated its commitment to diplomacy, saying it “remains committed to its mandate to conduct diplomacy in an appropriate and effective manner that advances the overall national interest.”

It said it is “in direct communication with the Chinese government on various bilateral and international issues that are of great importance to the Philippines.”

The department expressed hope that it would be given sufficient latitude to carry out its mandate, saying, “It is hoped that the DFA would be provided with ample space to perform its functions and to sort out issues with foreign counterparts through dialogue and consultation rather than through public discourse, in accordance with the President’s vision and guidance as the architect of Philippine foreign policy.”