Eduardo Ano, the Philippines’ national security adviser, called for the expulsion of Chinese diplomats on Friday. The reason for this is the leak of a phone call with a Filipino admiral, reports “Reuters“.
Accusation of disinformation
The Chinese Embassy in Manila has “repeatedly engaged in disinformation” to sow discord, division and disunity, Ano said in a statement. Such acts “should not go unpunished, without serious punishment,” he added.
Ano was referring to a report that the leak of a conversation between a Chinese diplomat and a Filipino admiral allegedly showed an agreement on concessions to China in the South China Sea. “These individuals at the Chinese embassy… and those responsible for these malicious acts of influence and disruption must be removed from the country immediately,” he said.
Increasingly violent arguments
China and the Philippines have been engaged in a series of heated clashes in disputed areas of the South China Sea since last year.
The Philippines, bolstered by support from the United States and other allies, has increased its activities in waters occupied by China’s coast guard.
The expulsion of diplomats could further exacerbate the dispute.