Locsin orders filing of protest over swarming of 240 China vessels in WPS

Some of the more than 200 Chinese vessels reported by the Philippine Coast Guard, and believed to be manned by Chinese maritime militia personnel, are pictured at Whitsun Reef, South China Sea, March 7, 2021. Picture taken March 7, 2021. Philippine Coast Guard/National Task Force-West Philippine Sea/Handout via REUTERS.

MANILA, Philippines — Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Wednesday ordered the filing of a diplomatic protest over the swarming of 240 Chinese militia vessels found in various parts of the West Philippine Sea.

The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) reported late Tuesday that around 240 Chinese militia vessels are still inside the country’s territorial waters.

While Locsin has yet to receive this report from the task force himself, he directed the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), over Twitter, to “fire” a protest.

“I haven’t heard anything from the f*cking NTF-WPS but I’ll take ABS-CBN News’s word for it. Changing my policy of acting only on NTF requests. @DFAPHL FIRE A DIPLOMATIC PROTEST NOW,” Manila’s top diplomat said, reacting to a news report about the Chinese vessels.

I haven’t heard anything from the fucking NTF-WPS but I’ll take ABS-CBN News’s word for it. Changing my policy of acting only on NTF requests. @DFAPHL FIRE A DIPLOMATIC PROTEST NOW. https://t.co/bW79VzKeNr

— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) April 13, 2021

The DFA already summoned Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian to express “utmost displeasure” over the “illegal” and lingering presence of Chinese vessels at the Julian Felipe Reef in the West Philippines Sea.

In summoning the Chinese envoy, the Philippines side reiterated its “firm demand” for China to ensure the “immediate departure of all its vessels from the area of Julian Felipe Reef and other maritime zones of the Philippines.”

EDV