Perez backed vs Sino envoy

Senators Ralph Recto and Aquilino Pimentel Jr. and Bukidnon Rep. Juan Miguel Zubiri supported yesterday the call of Justice Secretary Hernando Perez that Chinese Ambassador Wang Chungui be declared persona non grata to the Philippines for flaring up last Sept. 20 at Perez’s office after Perez had rejected the release of 122 Chinese fishermen caught poaching off Palawan.

This came as the Chinese Embassy expressed the hope that the incident between the ambassador and Perez would not adversely affect the friendly relations between the Philippines and China.

Recto said the Chinese envoy picked the wrong person to intimidate on the release of the 122 Chinese poachers.

"You don’t do that to a Batangueño," said Recto, himself a Batangueño.

He stressed, however, that Perez’s displeasure over Wang’s use of undiplomatic language "was not a matter of his machismo being challenged but of Philippine laws being trampled."

"If Secretary Perez felt that he was being treated like a coolie, then he has the right to be incensed," Recto said, "more so if the guest was throwing a tantrum right inside his office."

Recto said this was also the first time that he heard of a mooncake gift being dangled in exchange for 122 detainees.

In media interviews, Perez narrated how Wang emphasized that Perez should reciprocate the mooncake gift by freeing the Chinese prisoners.

"Have we sunk so low that people bearing mooncakes expect their wish to be granted?" Recto asked.

Pimentel said Perez’s move against Wang deserves full support because Wang had shown his lack of respect for the country’s judicial system.

"I hope Foreign Secretary Blas Ople will act promptly on Secretary Perez’s request (that Wang be declared persona non grata to the Philippines)," Pimentel said.

He agreed with Perez that Filipinos should not be bullied by foreigners in their own country.

"We value our diplomatic relations with China and consider the Chinese people as our friends, but their diplomatic representatives should respect our laws in the same manner that we respect theirs," Pimentel said.

Zubiri, meanwhile, said Perez should be praised for standing his ground against Wang’s demand.

"If the Chinese Ambassador acted like a barbarian at the gate, then Perez has the right to be incensed," he said.

He added that Wang’s histrionics and table-pounding at Perez’s office showed Wang’s low regard for the Philippines.

Meanwhile, a statement from the Chinese Embassy said that the differences between Perez and Wang on the issue of the Chinese fishermen was quite usual and regarded it as a matter that could be settled through patient discussion.

"The remarks made by Secretary Perez afterwards are one-sided and inaccurate. At present, China-Philippine relations, just as President Arroyo put it, is proceeding towards a healthy, lasting and stable relation," the statement said.

It added they hope that the matter would not bring negative impact to the friendly cooperative relations between China and the Philippines.