If China exploring Philippine Rise, gov’t may file diplomatic protest — NSC

National Security Council Assistant Secretary General Jonathan Malaya. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government may file another diplomatic protest against China if it is proven that their research vessels were illegally exploring the Philippine Rise, said National Security Council (NSC) Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya on Monday.

Over the weekend, two Chinese research vessels were reported in the Philippine Rise, which is located on the eastern side of the country away from the disputed West Philippine Sea.

READ: 2 Chinese research vessels ‘loitering’ at Philippine Rise

Malaya said that the government is still determining if the vessels were innocently passing through or exploring the marine resource-rich area. If the latter is proven to be the reason behind the vessels’ presence, the NSC spokesperson said that China would be breaking United Nations conventions.

“If it is proven that they are loitering there, and they were doing something which is not allowed, we would have to recommend to the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) for the filing of formal diplomatic protest here in the Philippine Rise,” said Malaya in a mix of English and Filipino on the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing.

Both the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard have been instructed to probe the incident and submit a report to the National Security Advisor and the National Task Force West Philippine Sea.

READ: Philippines conducts marine patrols to check presence of Chinese research ships

Malaya said that the report would guide the agency’s decision to recommend filing a diplomatic protest.

While the presence of Chinese vessels in Philippine waters is not new, they have primarily been limited to the West Philippine Sea. Beijing has a history of encroaching on Philippine waters, with repeated incidents of Chinese vessels repelling Philippine boats through water cannons, lasers, and more.