MANILA — The Philippines directly confronted China over the alleged assault on Filipino Navy personnel at Ayungin Shoal and a China Daily video portraying Filipinos as monkeys, with Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro lodging strong protests during a high-level meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Pasay City.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Lazaro raised the two incidents as Manila reaffirmed its position on the West Philippine Sea and called on Beijing to respect international law and refrain from actions that further escalate tensions.
“Secretary Lazaro reiterated the Philippines’ strong protest over the violent actions committed by China Coast Guard personnel against Filipino navy personnel at Ayungin Shoal on 20 July 2026,” the DFA said in a statement.
The July 20 confrontation left a Filipino sailor with a bloodied head after he was struck with batons by China Coast Guard personnel.
China has rejected the Philippine account, claiming Manila distorted the incident and insisting that Filipino personnel initiated the confrontation.
Lazaro also reiterated the Philippines’ objections to China’s continued activities in the West Philippine Sea, saying these infringe on the country’s maritime rights and endanger Filipino troops and fishermen.
She likewise renewed Manila’s demand for the removal of the remaining Chinese structures at Bajo de Masinloc.
“She conveyed the Philippines’ consistent and principled positions on the South China Sea, and raised concerns over actions that have infringed on the maritime rights and entitlements, including incidents affecting the safety of Filipino personnel and fishermen, and reiterated the removal of remaining structures in Bajo de Masinloc,” the DFA said.
The Philippine foreign secretary also formally protested a July 10 China Daily video that depicted Filipinos as monkeys, describing the imagery as offensive and beyond the bounds of acceptable political discourse.
“The Secretary emphasized that disagreements over legal and political issues do not justify resorting to disturbing imagery, drawing a firm line at the depiction of Filipinos as monkeys in the 10 July 2026 China Daily video, which is deeply offensive, distressing, and unacceptable,” the DFA said.
Lazaro urged Beijing to exercise restraint and resolve disputes peacefully in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award.
“The Philippines emphasized the need to exercise restraint, avoid actions that increase tensions, and resolve disputes peacefully in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award,” the DFA said.
Beyond maritime issues, the two foreign ministers discussed the broader state of Philippines-China relations, including political and security concerns, law enforcement cooperation, trade and investment, agriculture, tourism, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges.
Both sides agreed to maintain open communication, strengthen confidence-building measures and reduce the risk of miscalculation while expressing hope that negotiations on the ASEAN-China Code of Conduct in the South China Sea could be concluded within the year.
The DFA said both governments reaffirmed their commitment to continue dialogue and promote peace, security and stability in the region despite their continuing differences over the South China Sea./PN
