Philippines to Probe Foreign Diplomats’ Acts After China Threat

The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs said it will “look into any reports of illegal and unlawful activities” by foreign diplomats, following China’s threat to release a recording of a purported call on a supposed South China Sea deal.

Manila’s probe risks deepening a diplomatic spat with Beijing. Bloomberg News reported last week, citing Chinese officials, that Beijing may soon release an audio recording of the alleged phone call with a Philippine military official that China claims is evidence of an agreement on a “new model” over disputed territory in the South China Sea. Philippine officials have denied such agreement.