Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 10) – The Philippines has filed another protest against China, this time over the latter’s activities in the Ayungin Shoal, which is inside the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
In a statement released on Friday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) elaborated its protest stemming from China’s illegal fishing, shadowing of Chinese Coast Guard ships on Filipino-owned vessels, and blocking of the shoal’s entrance.
“The 2016 Arbitral Award affirmed that Ayungin Shoal is within Philippine EEZ and continental shelf. China has no right to fish, monitor, or interfere with the Philippines’ legitimate activities therein,” the DFA said.
It is the second diplomatic protest filed by the Philippines this week against China after the former dissented on Thursday the return of more than 100 Chinese vessels in the Julian Felipe Reef in the West Philippine Sea. The area is also within the Philippines’ EEZ.
The Chinese Embassy has yet to issue a statement on the two diplomatic protests filed by the Philippines this week.
Last week, the DFA also filed a protest over the East Asian giant’s unilateral fishing ban which covered parts of the West Philippine Sea.
The Philippines has filed numerous diplomatic protests against China’s incursion in parts of the West Philippine Sea, which were declared in a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration as part of Manila’s territory. The ruling invalidated Beijing’s claims on the islands in question.
RELATED: Carlos on West PH Sea: Insist PH position, keep filing diplomatic protests
READ: The DFA has lodged today another protest over recent incidents in Ayungin Shoal, including China’s illegal fishing, shadowing of China Coast Guard vessels of Philippine boats on a rotation & reprovision mission, and… (1/3)@teddyboylocsin
— DFA Philippines (@DFAPHL) June 10, 2022
CNN Philippines correspondent Tristan Nodalo contributed to this report.
