China files protests vs Tarriela after 'smearing, attacking' Xi

The Chinese Embassy in Manila has filed a diplomatic protest against Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman Jay Tarriela, known for exposing China's supposed illegal activities in the West Philippine Sea, before Malacañang and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for supposedly smearing and attacking Chinese leaders in his social media posts.

- By JOSEPH PEDRAJAS

After engaging with Tarriela in an extensive word war that started in late December, the embassy already sought Malacañang and the DFA’s diplomatic intervention.

The embassy did so after Tarriela, in a recent engagement with students of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, talked about China’s supposed bullying of Filipinos in the West Philippine Sea and showed a satirical image of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"This constitutes a serious violation of China’s political dignity and a blatant political provocation, which has crossed the red line," the embassy said.