Delon Porcalla - The Philippine Star
October 19, 2026 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — The Chinese ambassador’s provocative remarks against the Philippine government and its officials may actually be a ploy of Beijing to create more internal political havoc on the highly divisive impeachment issue of Vice President Sara Duterte, according to a former lawmaker.
“Is China simply pursuing its aggressive maritime agenda, or is it also taking advantage of our political divisions to weaken our resolve? These are questions our national security officials must examine,” former Surigao del Norte congressman Robert Ace Barbers said.
The House of Representatives’ impeachment adviser also stressed that while timing alone does not prove a deliberate connection, the possibility that China could “exploit domestic political tensions to advance its strategic interests cannot be dismissed without proper scrutiny.”
“The impeachment proceedings are an internal constitutional process. China has no business exploiting our political differences to advance its interests in our waters,” Barbers said.
He warned that a nation preoccupied with internal political battles risks losing focus on external threats. China could benefit if the impeachment controversy deepens divisions among Filipinos and distracts the public from developments in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
From the administration’s perspective, Duterte has been very lenient and is actually pro-China.
Barbers said the government must determine whether the timing and patterns of Chinese activities point to a broader strategy. Any assessment, he emphasized, must be supported by credible intelligence and verifiable evidence – not political speculation.
He urged Filipinos, regardless of political allegiance, to remain vigilant against possible foreign interference and resist efforts to turn domestic disagreements into national vulnerabilities, like the highly sensitive issue of China’s encroachment into the WPS.
“Whether coincidence or calculated strategy, China’s actions demand scrutiny. We may disagree on politics, but defending our sovereignty and protecting our national interests must unite us all,” Barbers said.
As far as Rep. Leila de Lima is concerned, Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan’s statement basically says “we are stronger, so be grateful that we don’t use our might to crush you.”
“This is absolutely the language of a liar and an invader who lacks sincerity in promoting peace. They may be mightier, but the world knows who has already won in our fight for sovereign rights over the WPS. And they know the consequences if they resort to using force against us,” De Lima said.
“If they truly love peace, then they should get out of our territory and stop harassing our countrymen and depriving our fishermen of their livelihoods. They are the ones encroaching on our territory,” the former senator and justice secretary pointed out.
“But being a bully, China will not stop threatening us. We will also keep defending what is ours. They cannot threaten us, because we Filipinos will never ever allow ourselves to be oppressed, conquered or subjugated,” De Lima said.