MANILA, 24 Sept. – Sen. Manuel Villar yesterday said Filipino diplomats should emulate China’s ambassador to the Philippines in being "spunky" and "very passionate about protecting his own countrymen."

Villar was referring to Ambassador Wang Chungui, whom Justice Secretary Hernando Perez wants expelled for allegedly abusing him in connection with the case of 122 Chinese fishermen being held in Palawan for poaching in Philippine waters.

Perez has complained to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that Wang shouted at him and repeatedly banged a clenched fist on his desk last Friday when they were discussing the release of 122 Chinese fishermen detained in the western province of Palawan for illegal fishing.

Acknowledging that it was hardly the kind of statement one should hear from the chairman of the Senate foreign relations committee, Villar said he was "risking misinterpretation" to drive home a point.

"Who among our ambassadors would risk being declared persona non grata because he or she wanted to defend a countryman?" he told the Inquirer.

Villar was quick to point out that he was not taking Wang’s side. "(The DFA) can declare Wang persona non grata for all I care," he said. "But what I want noted is Wang’s persistence and assertiveness in trying to protect his countrymen."

Villar pointed out that compared with the Chinese poachers, Filipino workers had suffered worse treatment under worse conditions in other countries.

"More often than not, (embassy or consular officials) say nothing and do not even assert the rights of our workers," he said. "While he behaved in a manner that may be quite arrogant, Wang also showed that he is very passionate about protecting his own countrymen."

But the senator stressed that "unlike Wang who wanted to short-cut the law to protect his countrymen," Philippine envoys should always respect the laws in their host countries.

At the opening of the 7th Leyte Boy Scout Jamboree in Tanauan town some 17 km south of Tacloban City in Leyte, Villar told the Inquirer that the DFA inaction on the matter would reflect the administration’s supposed "foreign policy of fear."

"We’re afraid of Malaysia, Indonesia, China. We’re afraid of all other countries," he said in Filipino.

Villar urged the DFA to ask Wang to publicly apologize for his behavior in Perez’s office.

"If we cannot declare the Chinese ambassador persona non grata, at least the DFA should ask him to issue a public apology or the DFA should issue a strong statement condemning his act," Villar said. "Our ambassadors cannot do that at their places of assignment."

Mediation

On Sunday, Wang reportedly asked DFA Undersecretary Delia Albert to mediate in disagreement between him and Secretary Perez.

A department source said Wang stressed his desire to "patch up his differences" with Perez before the scheduled five-day visit of China’s Defense Minister Chi Haotian on Wednesday.

"The ambassador is asking if the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) could set a meeting between him and Perez," the official added. "The ambassador seemed apologetic, but he never categorically said he was sorry."

In his complaint filed with the DFA, Perez sought Wang’s expulsion for attempting to "bully" him into freeing the fishermen without a trial or a plea bargain.

The justice secretary yesterday declined to give additional comments on the incident in an apparent attempt to defuse the situation, which some observers fear could hurt relations between the Philippines and China.

"I was told not to make further statements about this," he said.

Foreign Secretary Blas Ople, who was in Copenhagen to attend the Asia-Europe Meeting, said the DFA would address Perez’ complaint and at the same time "do everything possible to preserve the good relations we have with China,"

"We want to resolve this the proper way with the broader interest of the country in mind," he said in a statement.

The Chinese fishermen have been in detention for more than six months after being arrested separately by the Philippine Navy for illegally fishing near the Tubbataha Reefs in Palawan.

Stand firm

Palawan Rep. Abraham Mitra yesterday said the government should stand firm on the case of the poachers.

"Friendship between China and the Philippines must be based on mutual respect," he said. "But how can we maintain friendship if they destroy our natural resources?"

Mitra said it appeared that the Chinese had been getting their way because 20 such poaching cases were dismissed during past administrations.

"Palaweños have been very patient in the past, but the Chinese have abused and taken advantage of our diplomatic ties," he said. (With reports from agencies)