DILG chief, China envoy meet over tensionsMANILA, Philippines — After days of trading barbs with some Philippine officials, Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan expressed his wish yesterday for de-escalating tensions during a courtesy call on Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla. The China travel ban on 16 officials of the Kalayaan Municipality in Palawan was not discussed during the meeting, Remulla said. In support of the officials in Kalayaan, Remulla said he intends to visit the municipality sometime in March or April. “By banning 16 Filipino officials, China unintentionally reminds everyone that Kalayaan has elected officials and functions as a Philippine municipality,” Army Training Command commander Maj. Gen. Michael Logico said. Kalayaan officials earlier declared Chinese embassy officials as unwelcome or persona non grata which the embassy and Beijing reciprocated by also banning the local officials from mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau.

Source: Philippine Star February 12, 2026 16:34 UTC