Amid silence on diplomatic actions, Philippines sends note verbale to China
MANILA, Philippines (Updated 8:21 a.m., June 1, 2018) — Following pressure from critics to formally protest China's increasing militarization in the South China Sea, the Philippine government quietly filed a note verbale to Beijing.
According to a source, the Department of Foreign Affairs filed the note verbale or diplomatic note last Saturday.
The note verbale included China's installation of missile systems on three man-made islands in the Spratly Islands, as well as the harassment of Chinese Navy to Philippine Navy boats resupplying troops in Ayungin Shoal in May 11.
It would be the first formal protest since Cayetano took over as the country's top diplomat, the source said.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque has confirmed that the Philippines has taken "diplomatic actions" in response to Beijing's actions in the West Philippine Sea.
"The current administration has acted on incidents which occurred in the disputed areas over the West Philippine Sea by taking diplomatic actions with China. Indeed, we will resort to all diplomatic initiatives when warranted but without fanfare," Roque said.
The DFA has been consistent on its position that the government has been taking all diplomatic actions necessary to assert the country's claim in the South China Sea, part of which is the West Philippine Sea.
Cayetano earlier said that contrary to the Aquino administration, the Duterte administration does not engage on "microphone" or "megaphone" diplomacy.
In a congressional hearing on Wednesday, Magdalo Partylist Rep. Gary Alejano said that the Chinese navy harassed Filipino troops conducting resupply missions on Ayungin Shoal earlier this month.
“I have this information just this May 11 weren’t our troops harassed in Ayungin Shoal? They’re supplying our troops there. They were harassed not only by the coast guard but by the PLA navy,” Alejano said. — Patricia Lourdes Viray
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