Philippines files protest over China taking metal debris in waters off Pag-asa

The Philippines has filed a diplomatic protest over the Chinese Çoast Guard's actions in November 20, when it forcibly took from a Philippine Navy vessel a metal debris already being towed.

This developed as the Senate on Wednesday adopted a resolution expressing its "disgust" at the situation in the West Philippine Sea.

“The Department appreciates the clarity with which the Senate has expressed its views on a wide scope of issues on the WPS," DFA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Teresita Daza said in a statement.

"Specific to the rocket debris retrieval operations of the Philippine Navy, the DFA has undertaken appropriate diplomatic action to protest and make known our views on the illegal actions of the CCG on 20 November 2022," she added.

Daza said the protest was filed on December 12.

The DFA on November 24 said it sent the Chinese side a note verbale over the incident.

Prior to the adoption of the Senate resolution, Senator Francis Tolentino in a privileged speech showed footage of the incident near Pag-asa Island in November.

The Chinese Coast Guard appeared to be taking suspected rocket debris retrieved by  Philippine Navy personnel.

China on November 21 denied that its coast guard cut the line between a Philippine naval station team and an unidentified floating object being towed in waters off Pag-Asa Island.

According to a statement from the Chinese embassy in Manila, the Chinese also denied blocking the Philippine Navy boat and forcefully retrieving the object at the scene.

Citing the spokesperson of China's foreign ministry, the embassy said, "At around 8:00 am on November 20 a China Coast Guard ship found an unidentified floating object in the waters off the Nansha Islands, which was later identified as the wreckage of the fairing of a rocket recently launched by China."

"Before the China Coast Guard found the said floating object some Philippine Navy personnel already retrieved and towed it," it added.

"After friendly consultation the Philippine side returned the floating object to the Chinese side on the spot," the Chinese embassy said.—NB, GMA Integrated News