President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. rejected legislative resolution calling to declare persona non grata, Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said in an ambush interview, said the President said no to calls of several legislators to expel some Chinese embassy officials over the West Philippine Sea row.

Some senators previously said they are considering filing a resolution that would recommend to the President to declare certain Chinese Embassy officials persona non grata amid a heated exchange with Philippine government officials over Beijing’s aggressive actions in the WPS.

A total of 15 senators signed a proposed resolution denouncing the recent statements of the Chinese Embassy in Manila.

Malacañang said Marcos wants to resolve the ongoing word war with “firm action with diplomacy.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), through a statement to the Palace, also warned that declaring a foreign official person non grata is “an option of last resort”, adding it is one of the most severe forms of diplomatic action that can be imposed by the government against foreign diplomatic personnel.

“While it is within the remit of the DFA, such an action is an option of last resort, second only to downgrading of relations when diplomatic relations with the certain country have seriously fractured that no intervening remedy can stabilize the interaction and engagement,” DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said.

“It also carries tremendous implications moving forward such as reciprocal action or other countermeasures in other areas which is why it should not be made lightly, and decided only with careful and clear thought and preparedness for how it will shape the Philippines’ strategic interest moving forward,” she said.

Lazaro said the DFA is committed to its mandate and assured it is in direct communication with the Chinese government on various bilateral and international issues.

“It is hoped that the DFA would be provided with ample space to perform its functions and to sort out issues with foreign counterparts through dialogue and consultation rather than through public discourse in accordance with the President’s vision and guidance as the architect of Philippine foreign policy,” she added.

Earlier, the Chinese Embassy in Manila said Ambassador Jing Quan will immediately depart the Philippines but “with immense pride and honor” should Marcos declare him persona non grata.