Philippines sends note verbales in series of protests against China in WPS

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday filed a latest diplomatic protest against China in response to its ongoing illegal actions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

According to JP Soriano of GMA Integrated News, DFA spokesperson Maria Teresita Daza said for January 2024 alone, the agency released a total of 4 note verbales to China.The latest protest is part of a series of protests over China's illegal actions in the WPS.

Just in: DFA Files Latest Diplomatic Protest Against China Today, January 24, 2024, in Response to Illegal Actions in the West Philippine Sea

According to the DFA spokesperson, for January 2024 alone, the DFA has released a total of 4 Note Verbals (NV) on China. @gmanews

— JP Soriano (@jpsoriano) January 24, 2024

In the latest incident,  the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) near the Bajo de Masinloc forcibly took fish and other catch from a group of fishermen from Zambales. Aside from their loss, the Filipinos were prevented from fishing further in the area.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said the incident occurred on January 12, days before the January 17 deal in which the Philippines and China agreed to de-escalate tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

The incident is just the latest in the past several months where Chinese forces harassed Filipino fishermen and seafarers in what is recognized as Philippine territory.   

In September 2023, Filipino fishermen from the town of Masinloc in Zambales reported the presence of Chinese vessels in the WPS that acted in a hostile manner that threatened their safety and livelihood.

Regardless of continued Chinese aggression  in the WPS, the PCG said it will not respond in kind.

“Despite the harassment, despite the aggressive behavior of China Coast Guard, we're not going to respond with the same level of aggression," PCG spokesperson for the WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela said in December 2023.

Meanwhile, a US envoy said the Philippines and the US are discussing new joint patrols in the WPS.—Sherylin Untalan/RF, GMA Integrated News