PH files protest vs Chinese harassment of research boat in Scarborough Shoal

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines lodged on Monday a diplomatic protest over the “acts of harassment” by Chinese ships and aircraft of the MY Saranggani, a Manila-registered vessel doing archaeological research in the Scarborough Shoal area.

Raul Hernandez, the Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman, said “such actions are in violation of the sovereign right and jurisdiction of the Philippines to conduct marine research in the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone.”

“The Philippines demanded that the Chinese ships and aircraft cease the harassment of the vessel so that its crew can complete its work,” Hernandez told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

According to Hernandez, the DFA “filed the protest through Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Ma Keqing.”

“Any attempted action by the Chinese ships or aircraft against the Saranggani will be considered by the Philippines as a gross violation of its national laws and of international law,” he warned.

Hernandez also disclosed that “yesterday’s discussions (between Philippine and Chinese officials on the Scarborough Shoal issue) ended in a stalemate.”

Bai Tian, political counselor of Beijing’s embassy in Manila said there has been “no breakthrough” in the negotiations between Philippine and Chinese officials on the Scarborough Shoal dispute.

Tian declined to provide other details about the 45-minute meeting between the officials, including Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Ma Keqing and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Erlinda Basilio, held on Monday at the Department of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Pasay City.

Ma was scheduled to issue a statement on Monday night, said Zang Hua, the embassy spokesperson and deputy chief of the mission’s political section.

Earlier, Hernandez said Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario was “taken aback” by Beijing’s decision to order the eight Chinese vessels to leave the shoal without surrendering the marine species they collected.

Hernandez asserted the shoal was “part of our territory and we have the right to be there.”

Del Rosario was also disappointed with China’s reported attempt to harass a Philippine archaeological research vessel conducting a study at the shoal, he said.

According to Hernandez, the Chinese authorities “have been calling and asked us to leave the area.”