The diplomatic friction between the Philippines and China has begun to affect non-governmental sectors, specifically academic and cultural exchange programs. Following public statements by Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jnr, who cautioned that certain people-to-people ties could present national security vulnerabilities, a significant number of Chinese volunteer instructors have exited the country.

Reports indicate that roughly 150 teachers have left their posts in the Philippines. The departure of these educators is attributed to a combination of official government warnings and personal safety concerns voiced by the instructors' families. The loss of these personnel has resulted in the immediate disruption of classroom instruction. Analysts suggest that this trend may have broader implications, potentially impacting the tourism sector and further restricting the limited channels of communication currently available between the two nations. While the Philippine government maintains that its security stance is a necessary precaution, the resulting vacuum in academic staffing highlights the practical consequences of the ongoing geopolitical dispute.