Another diplomatic protest filed vs China over latest incidents in Ayungin

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines on Wednesday said another diplomatic protest has been filed against China, bringing the number of note verbales served against the country during the current administration to 143.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the diplomatic protest was filed on Tuesday afternoon.

“The Philippine Embassy in Beijing has demarched their counterparts in the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday. The Department also lodged another diplomatic protest against the Chinese side by summoning the Chinese Embassy, also yesterday afternoon,” said DFA.

READ: PH and China coast guard ships collide in West Philippine Sea

The department then countered China’s claims that the Philippines had violated a supposed agreement with them by doing resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal.

“The Philippines has not entered into any agreement abandoning its sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf, including in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal,” DFA emphasized.

“The Philippines’ resupply missions to BRP Sierra Madre are part of routine operations in line with domestic and international law.  This lawful activity is well within the exercise of Philippine rights within our EEZ. We have not added anything to our normal and routine RORE missions.  Our conduct over our EEZ remains the same,” it added.

READ: 4 PH Navy crew hurt by China Coast Guard’s water cannon attack 

DFA proceeded to tell China to “cease and desist” from undertaking actions that violate Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea.

Meanwhile, it likewise emphasized that China’s unlawful exercise of maritime law enforcement powers and interference with Philippine rotation and resupply missions are violations of international law.

A Philippine Coast Guard vessel and a Chinese Coast Guard ship collided on Tuesday during China’s “dangerous maneuvers” in Philippine waters.

In another incident after the collision, China’s ship also attacked a Philippine vessel on a mission to bring supplies to troops in the grounded BRP Sierra Madre.

READ: PH to China: Leave Ayungin Shoal immediately

Following the twin incident, Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Teresita Daza said they summoned Chinese Deputy Chief of Mission Zhou Zhiyong to convey the Philippine government’s protest against aggressive actions undertaken by China in Ayungin Shoal.