The Philippines has one again filed a diplomatic protest against China following its recent agressions in the West Philippine Sea.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Sunday accused China of firing water cannons and ramming its resupply vessel headed to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, causing "serious engine damage" to one vessel.
In a Palace briefing, Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said that the national government continues to explore "all forms of diplomatic actions available" to protect and uphold the country's legal maritime rights in the disputed waters.
"We used the maritime communication mechanism and it was used yesterday at 12 o' clock noon, the Department of Foreign Affairs launched its diplomatic protest with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs through a phone call," Daza said.
"In terms of the demarche undertaken by our Philippine Embassy in Beijing, yes we confirm that our Philippine Embassy in Beijing has made a demarche to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials yesterday concerning the Bajo de Masinloc incident," she added.
According to Daza, Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian was also summoned “to protest the incident.”
She noted that declaring China's ambassador Huang Xilian as "persona non grata" in the Philippines was also "something that has to be seriously considered".
The collision comes as a Christmas convoy of around 40 Philippine vessels began sailing Sunday to the disputed shoal.
Over 200 fishermen, youth leaders and civil society groups have joined the mission organized by the Atin Ito (This is ours) campaign network, a civilian-led advocacy to assert the Philippines' rights in the South China Sea.
