Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla 蜜桃工作室/Daniza Fernandez
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Diplomatic immunity is 鈥渘ever absolute,鈥� Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Tuesday, as he ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to launch an in-depth probe of supposedly illegal and unlawful activities committed by foreign diplomats.
鈥淒iplomatic immunity should never be used as a license to exploit our country鈥檚 peace and harmony for selfish motives, this privilege does not shield anyone from the consequences of the rule of law,鈥� he added.
Remulla鈥檚 statements were in reaction to the Chinese Embassy鈥檚 release of an alleged transcript and recording of the conversation between a ranking Philippine military official and an unidentified Chinese diplomat on how to manage Ayungin (Second Tomas) Shoal.
READ: China embassy鈥檚 鈥榖arking鈥� violates wiretapping law if claims true 鈥� Teodoro
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and National Security Adviser Eduardo A帽o earlier accused Beijing of disinformation and asked the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to expel the Chinese diplomats who violated Philippine laws against wiretapping and international diplomatic protocol. In response, the DFA said it would also conduct an investigation.
鈥淲hile enjoying the privileges and immunities accorded to foreign diplomats, it is also their duty to respect the laws and regulations of the receiving state,鈥� Remulla as he vowed to take necessary action, if warranted, against the envoys involved.
Official acts only
He said that the immunity granted to them applies only to 鈥渙fficial acts performed in the exercise of official duties and functions necessary for advocating international comity, policies and interests.鈥�
Assistant Justice Secretary Jose Dominic Clavano IV also said the Department of Justice (DOJ) was studying legal options in response to what authorities suspect to be Beijing鈥檚 reclamation efforts on Escoda (Sabina) Shoal.
鈥淭he DOJ and Office of the Solicitor General continue to coordinate and discuss the possible options and recommendations which will be submitted to the President as soon as it is done,鈥� he said.