Twin diplomatic protests were filed by the Philippine government against China this week as Chinese vessels continue to occupy the West Philippine Sea, a statement by the Foreign Affairs Department said on Friday.
The protests were filed on Wednesday, on the basis of China’s nonstop deployment, continued presence, and persistent activities of Chinese vessels in the Philippines’ maritime zones.
“The presence of these vessels blatantly infringe upon Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction,” the DFA said in a statement.
The twin diplomatic protests were in addition to the daily protests being filed by the DFA against China for its vessels’ continued presence at the Julian Felipe Reef (Whitsun Reef).
“The continued swarming and threatening presence of the Chinese vessels creates an atmosphere of instability and is a blatant disregard of the commitments by China to promote peace and stability in the region,” the agency’s statement read.
