PH issues demarche to China over recent Ayungin Shoal incident
This screengrab taken from a handout video filmed on June 17, 2024, and released by Armed Forces of the Philippines-Public Affairs Office (AFP-PAO) on June 19 shows Chinese coast guard personnel (L,R) aboard their inflatable boats blocking Philippine Navy boats (C) during a confrontation at the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. The Philippine military said on June 19, the Chinese coast guard rammed and boarded Filipino navy boats in a violent confrontation in the South China Sea this week in which a Filipino sailor lost a thumb. China defended its actions, with its foreign ministry saying that “no direct measures” were taken against Filipino personnel. ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES-PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE / AFP
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government made a diplomatic demarche or a formal initiative to China following the June 17 incident that caused injuries to Filipino personnel stationed in Ayungin Shoal.
In a text message to INQUIRER.net, Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Teresita Daza confirmed that the Philippines, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, made a formal representation of its position against China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea, particularly Ayungin Shoal.
“[T]he DFA issued a statement and made a demarche both in Manila and Beijing last week,” said Daza.
She did not provide further information on the said diplomatic action.
READ: DFA hopes for bilateral talks with China on West Philippine Sea aggression
According to Daza, 31 note verbales have so far been filed against China as of June 26, 2024. But under President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s administration, the tally is at 164.
Beijing’s latest aggression in Philippine waters occurred on June 17, when the China Coast Guard towed a Philippine vessel en route to a resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre.
READ: PH Navy man who lost thumb recounts China aggression at Ayungin
The incident also resulted in a Philippine Navy personnel losing a finger.
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