MANILA – The Philippines has sent a note verbale to China over the recent incident between Filipino troops and China Coast Guard (CCG) in Ayungin Shoal resulting in several Filipinos injured.
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo said they lodged a diplomatic protest last week against China’s actions during the Philippine routine resupply mission on June 17.
Manalo added that he has already spoken with Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian regarding the incident but refused to provide details of the conversation.
The DFA official previously told a Senate inquiry that the Philippines will work hard to bring China back to the table for talks amid ongoing tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
Manalo added that the DFA maintains that the “primacy of dialogue and diplomacy should prevail even in the face of these serious incidents.”
A Philippine Navy sailor lost his thumb and several others were injured after CCG personnel repeatedly rammed Philippine Navy rubber boats to stop them from delivering food supplies, firearms, and other necessities to BRP Sierra Madre on June 17.
Meanwhile, National Security Council (NSC) spokesperson Jonathan Malaya believed that China also wants to de-escalate tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
“Ang feeling namin sa NSC, gusto na rin ng China na made-escalate ang sitwasyon,” Malaya said in an interview on DZBB AM radio on Wednesday morning.
Malaya, however, opted not to preempt the DFA when asked about the indications that China is now inclined to pursue peace in the contested waters.
The Ayungin Shoal, which China calls Ren’ai Reef, is located 105 nautical miles west of Palawan. It is within the Philippines’ 200-mile exclusive economic zone and is part of its continental shelf./PN
