The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has been instructed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to look into claims of breaches of the Anti-Wiretapping Act in the Philippines pertaining to the Chinese Embassy located in Manila.
“Diplomatic immunity should never be used as a pretext to take advantage of the harmony and tranquility in our nation for personal gain. The penalties of the Rule of Law are not avoided by anyone because of this privilege, according to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla’s remark.
He emphasized that it is the “duty of diplomats enjoying privileges and immunities to respect the laws and regulations of the receiving state.”
Remulla claimed that he has already given the NBI instructions to launch a thorough inquiry into the alleged eavesdropping by the embassy, which recorded its diplomat’s talk with a member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command.
The discussion, according to the Chinese Embassy, is evidence that the Philippines accepted a “new model” for handling the West Philippine Sea (WPS) conflict.
“Diplomats, employees of international organizations, and their immediate family members are covered by a certain degree of diplomatic immunity during their stay in a receiving State,” according to the DOJ, citing the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
However, Remulla stressed that diplomatic immunity only applied to official acts carried out in the course of carrying out official responsibilities and functions that are required for promoting international comity, policies, and interests.
