PH has filed 34 diplomatic protests against China in 2023 — DFA

THOSE ‘MANEUVERS’ AGAIN A China Coast Guard (CCG) ship on Saturday is seen preparing to strike a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel with a water cannon as it is on its way to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal. The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the PCG criticized the “dangerous maneuvers,” urging the CCG to “act with prudence.” —PHOTO FROM THE PCG FACEBOOK PAGE

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has so far filed 34 diplomatic protests against China in 2023, said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday.

Following the Chinese Coast Guard’s recent water cannon attack against Philippine Coast Guard’s vessels bound for Ayungin Shoal, the DFA was asked how many diplomatic protests have already been filed by the country against China.

To this, DFA Spokesperson Teresita Daza, in a message to reporters, said more than 400 protests have been filed since 2020.

Out of this number, more than 30 were raised this year.

“[T]here have been 444 diplomatic protests filed by the Philippines against Chinese illegal activities in the West Philippine Sea [since 2020],” said Daza.

“For this year, we have filed 34 diplomatic protests against China,” she added.

The DFA has yet to respond when the country’s latest diplomatic protest was raised.

But Daza said they are “fully aware” of China’s aggression, adding that they “share the concerns” by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and PCG.

“The Ayungin Shoal is a low tide elevation that is part of the Philippines Exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, pursuant to the 1982 UNCLOS and as affirmed by the 2016 Arbitral Award. The Philippines exercises sovereign rights and jurisdiction over Ayungin Shoal,” said Daza.

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