“[The] DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) never gave a permit to Jia Geng. But for humanitarian considerations, we ok’d Chinese embassy request for shelter against bad weather. The Coast Guard has zero authority/competence to allow it. Only DFA. Not to stay. But seek shelter. Period,” Locsin said in a tweet. (File Photo: @DFA/PHL/Twitter) MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) only allowed Chinese research vessel, Jia Geng, to “seek shelter” upon the emergency request of the Chinese Embassy in Manila, but “not to stay”, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. clarified Tuesday. In a tweet, the top diplomat said the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has “zero authority” to allow the vessel to stay in Philippine waters.