47 diplomatic protests filed vs China in 2025 - DFA47 diplomatic protests filed vs China in 2025 - DFA

MANILA, October 19 ------ The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has so far filed 47 diplomatic protests against China in 2025, and a total of 245 diplomatic protests since 2022, over the superpower's aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

During the hearing of the proposed 2026 budget of the department, Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said they filed the latest protest. "The latest diplomatic protest is what just happened recently in Bajo de Masinloc," Lazaro said. A Chinese vessel had "deliberately rammed" a Philippine ship providing cover for Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea last Sunday, the Philippine Coast Guard said.

Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson on the West Philippine Sea, said a China Coast Guard vessel rammed the stern of the BRP Datu Pagbuaya and caused "minor structural damage but no injuries to the crew." In an interview with reporters, however, Lazaro clarified that they have yet to file the protest and that the incident happened in waters off Pag-asa Island.

Senate Subcommittee on Finance Chairperson Senator Imee Marcos asked if there are other things that could be done aside from filing diplomatic protests. "In the past and you have taken note of it, about the bilateral consultative mechanism. We have also the foreign ministry consultations," Lazaro said.

She said they have also been discussing other proposals during meetings with security agencies but asked Marcos if DFA could submit it confidentially. Marcos also pointed out the closeness of the Philippines to the United States and the supposed suspicion of ASEAN neighbors about this. "It is very hard to deny that the Philippines has drifted very close to the United States, so can we allay the suspicions of our ASEAN neighbors in some way? We should be thinking after all about ASEAN centrality and what's good for the region while others doubt our intentions?" Marcos stated. "They have been very forthright in Singapore, in Malaysia, and other countries, about the dangers the Philippines will be bringing to the entire region by, in their words, volunteering to be the frontline in the imminent war or violence between the two superpowers. What can we do to allay these fears?" she added.

Lazaro assured the senator that the Philippines is always coordinating with ASEAN member states. "As the chair of ASEAN next year, we will be a good chair," Lazaro said. "The issues that concerns our bilateral matter with China is something that will remain bilateral." "In our discussions even now that Malaysia is the chair of ASEAN, we've been very keen on the cooperative mechanisms that has been in the discussions. We do not block consensus; we are always part of the consensus."

As for the Code of Conduct (COC) in the WPS, DFA reiterated that it is expected to be finished by 2026. "In 2023 it was the decision of the ASEAN foreign ministers that this Code of Conduct be, I mean, the product itself should be finished by 2026 which is three years. And therefore, we consider this ASEAN-China Code of Conduct as a deliverable hopefully by ASEAN."

DFA is of the position that the COC should be legally binding.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com