DFA to officially junk Perez complaint vs Chinese envoy

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is set to officially junk Justice Secretary Hernando Perez’s complaint seeking the expulsion of Chinese Ambassador Wang Chungui.

DFA sources said they are just waiting for Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople, who is expected to arrive this week from Denmark, to sign the decision dismissing the complaint.

"Because of the successful meeting between Wang and Perez, the request of the Justice Secretary to declare the Chinese ambassador as persona non grata is already irrelevant," one official said on condition of anonymity.

Perez sought Wang’s expulsion after the two quarreled over the fate of 122 Chinese fishermen detained in a Palawan jail for poaching.

Wang got angry at him on Sept. 20 when he refused to release the fishermen without their paying the $50,000 fine in exchange for a guilty plea, Perez said.

Wang reportedly shouted at him and slammed his fist on the table, Perez added. Perez also told the ambassador that it was up to the judge because the fishermen had already been charged in court.

Five days later, Perez withdrew his call for Wang’s expulsion to prevent souring relations between Manila and Beijing.

Wang, on the other hand, expressed regret for the incident.

The dispute came only days after Chinese legislative chairman Li Peng visited Manila and both governments pledged to strengthen ties.

President Arroyo, however, thought expelling Wang was "extreme" and ordered the DFA to mediate to prevent straining bilateral ties.