IN the aftermath of the Chinese Embassy's release of a highly suspect recording of a telephone conversation alleged to have taken place in January between a flag officer of the Philippine Navy and an embassy official, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and National Security Adviser Eduardo Año have both called on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to expel the Chinese diplomat who supposedly recorded the call and possibly other embassy officials. While this reaction is certainly understandable, and the Philippines would be clearly within its right to order any or all Chinese diplomatic personnel to leave the country as a result of the incident, we disagree with our officials.

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