South China Sea incident
MANILA
The Philippines summoned on Monday Beijing’s ambassador to Manila to protest the China Coast Guard’s use of a water cannon against a Filipino supply boat in the disputed South China Sea.
The Philippine Coast Guard said on Sunday that its Chinese counterpart had fired a water cannon and used “dangerous” moves to block a chartered Philippine vessel that was on a routine troop rotation and resupply mission near the Second Thomas Shoal, which Manila calls Ayungin Shoal.
“A note verbale … was issued during the summon of the Chinese ambassador by Undersecretary (Theresa) Lazaro,” Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Teresita Daza said during a press conference in Manila, referring to a DFA official.
“Lazaro conveyed to the Chinese ambassador this morning the strong protest of the Philippine government … The Philippines demands that China immediately stop its illegal activities in our maritime zones.”
Manila’s ambassador in Beijing has also handed a protest note to the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday morning, Daza added.
The Philippines has filed over 400 diplomatic protests against China since 2020, and nearly three dozen were filed so far this year.
