MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) confirmed that it has started discussions with the Chinese Embassy to identify measures aimed at de-escalating tensions between the Philippines and China, focusing on enhanced law enforcement cooperation and cultural exchanges. DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said he met with Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan on Feb. 12, 2026 to exchange views on strengthening peace and order, particularly in ensuring the safety of Chinese in the country. Remulla said the talks centered on practical steps that could ease tensions and improve mutual understanding between the two countries, including cooperation in maintaining peace and public order. He clarified that the meeting did not touch on territorial issues involving the Kalayaan Group of Islands. “We did not discuss Kalayaan. What we talked about was how to de-escalate the tensions between the two countries, and a lot of that has to do with cultural exchanges,” Remulla said “There are many areas where we can help each other in law enforcement and in maintaining peace and order. That was the extent of our discussion. As far as Kalayaan is concerned, we did not talk about it,” he added. Despite this, Remulla reiterated the Philippines’ position on the disputed islands, stressing that the country maintains its sovereign rights over them. “It is within Philippine territorial waters. It is our sovereign right to occupy those islands. Plain and simple,” he said. Meanwhile, various civil society groups held a lightning rally in front of the Chinese Embassy on Friday morning, a day after they staged a similar protest at the Senate to condemn what they described as persistent aggression by Chinese vessels and officials in the West Philippine Sea. Around 100 members and leaders from at least nine organizations led by the Filipinos Do Not Yield (FDNY) Movement gathered at the embassy’s perimeter along Ayala Avenue at 10 a.m. The groups, including Alyansa Bantay Kapayapaan at Demokrasya (ABKD), Liga Independencia ng Pilipinas – Youth (LIPI YOUTH), and Kabataang Artista, Manunulat, at Mananaway para sa Sining at Kultura (KaMaSKaRa), denounced recent statements from the Chinese embassy that they said disparaged Philippine officials. During the rally, the FDNY Movement accused China of harassing Filipino navy personnel, coast guard members, municipal officials from Kalayaan, and fishermen. Protesters carried placards and streamers reading “China: Get Out of the WPS” and “Diplomasya, Hindi Pananakot.” The demonstrators also celebrated the recent adoption of Senate Resolution 37, which formally condemns foreign intimidation and affirms the Philippine position on sovereignty in the Exclusive Economic Zone. The resolution was a key focus of Thursday’s rally at the Senate, organizers said. According to the organizers, Friday’s action aimed to demonstrate public unity in defending national sovereignty and the rights of Filipino fishermen. They also called for “responsible diplomacy” and respect for international law, including the 2016 Arbitral Award and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos). A short symbolic program was held, with speakers reiterating the movement’s opposition to what they described as intimidation and blame directed at Philippine officials. No counter-protest was observed. Police personnel were deployed to secure the area, and the event concluded peacefully before noon. The FDNY Movement said the embassy rally was the second in a series of actions planned in February.