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If Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque is listening, Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr has a message for him: “Harry, just lay off foreign affairs.”

Locsin had this to say at the tail end of a packed day when the world watched as Myanmar’s military took over its government in the Southeast Asian country, ending a power-sharing deal with civilians, and detaining civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

On the unfolding military coup in Myanmar, Locsin had tweeted several statements, saying the Philippines would adopt a “wait and see attitude” to the situation, calling events in the country a “chess move” instead of a coup staged by the military. 

But as Locsin posted tweet after tweet on Myanmar – where he said its military may have carried out its actions in the interest of protecting democracy in the country – Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque had also been giving his own statements on several foreign policy issues. 

At a virtual briefing in Malacañang on Monday, February 1, Roque was asked to comment on China’s recently passed coast guard law which renders the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)’s South China Sea Code of Conduct “dead,” according to retired Supreme Court justice Antonio Carpio. 

Roque doubted Carpio’s position, saying the sea code of conduct continued to be discussed among claimant states. 

The Palace spokesperson went on to say there was a “probability” the Philippines could take China to court again over its coast guard law “but the decision on whether or not to actually do so will be dictated by national interest, not only of the Philippines, but also of the different ASEAN countries.” 

He said the matter would be left to the Department of Foreign Affairs but not before sharing his opinion that “we need to show that there is an actual case or controversy” with the enforcement of China’s new law. 

Locsin later called out Roque, saying he was not competent to speak for foreign affairs in the Philippines. 

“I am not listening to Harry Roque. Love the guy but he’s not competent in this field. We do not go back to the Hague. We might lose what we won. Harry, lay off,” he said. 

Locsin repeated this on Tuesday, February 2, this time calling out Roque’s remarks that the Philippine military was on standby to repatriate Filipinos in Myanmar if necessary. The foreign affairs chief said assembling the military to evacuate Filipino would be the “last thing” the country would do. 

“Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque does not express foreign policy. That was his personal opinion,” Locsin tweeted in all caps. – Rappler.com