00:00Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Teresa Lazaros summons Chinese Ambassador Jing Kuan.
00:05This after Beijing's envoy made a statement that could be seen as a veiled threat against Manila.
00:10We should feel fortunate enough that you have a neighbor like China in this region.
00:16You know, if we want to use force, we may easily win.
00:21But no, we will not choose force. And we love peace.
00:27Lazaros says the statement heightened bilateral tensions and undermined efforts to promote mutual understanding and cooperation.
00:34Jing reacted to Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.'s statement that it was Beijing and not Manila that was a troublemaker
00:40in the region.
00:41President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on October 16 that Jing's remarks would merit a summons from Malacanang.
00:47The situation has led to calls from Philippine politicians for Jing's expulsion,
00:56highlighting ongoing tensions over maritime disputes in the South China Sea.
