MANILA, Philippines — Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said Tuesday that he will file a diplomatic protest against China if “there is a major difference” between a diplomatic protest and a note verbale.
READ: Chinese sea militia swarms around Pag-asa Island – military
In a Twitter post, Locsin said he sees “no difference between notes verbale and diplomatic protests.”
“If there is a major difference, Sal, I will thenceforth file diplomatic protests,” he added, referring to Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo.
I don't see the difference between notes verbale and diplomatic protests. If there is a major difference, Sal, I will thenceforth file diplomatic protests.
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) April 1, 2019
According to Panelo, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will file a note verbale, or a diplomatic note, against China over the reported presence of Chinese maritime militia vessels surrounding Pag-asa Island in the South China Sea.
“According to our Western Command, our DFA has already filed a diplomatic protest or note verbale, and I was asking (China’s Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua), ‘have you received it?’ and he said ‘not yet,” Panelo said in an interview over ABS-CBN News Channel.
Diplomatic protest filed vs surge of Chinese vessels in WPS – Panelo
“I confirmed it with Secretary Teddyboy Locsin that he’s going to file a note verbale. I think it’s on the way, according to him, I was talking to him last night,” he added. /muf
READ: Ex-DFA chief on note verbale to China: Better late than never