New diplomatic protest planned over Scarborough Shoal

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is preparing to lodge a diplomatic protest against China following a maritime incident in the Scarborough Shoal, where aggressive maneuvers by Chinese vessels led to a collision between two of their own ships while attempting to intercept a Filipino civilian vessel.

In an ambush interview with reporters, DFA Secretary Theresa Lazaro confirmed that while the protest has not yet been officially filed, the Department has already released a statement condemning the incident.

“We will be in the process of doing so, but for this time, it will be the statement that we have released today, rather early this afternoon,” Lazaro told reporters when asked whether the protest had been formally filed.

When pressed on whether the Chinese Ambassador in Manila would be summoned regarding the incident, Lazaro said the matter is still under consideration.

“I think there has been a process, but we're still rethinking the whole issue,” she explained, adding, “Not yet,” when asked if the ambassador had been summoned.

Further, Lazaro reiterated the DFA’s position on defending Philippine maritime territory.

“We are of the view that there should be... This is a situation whereby we have to be more careful and we still go back to the process whereby diplomatic dialogue and discussions will be best for the situation,” she said.

Lazaro also emphasized the need for caution and adherence to international maritime law, particularly the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) and Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES or COLAS).

“Of course, we cited two conventions there, the COLREGS and the COLAS, which I think is the dominating convention that should be employed by both sides,” she said.

The DFA earlier condemned the dangerous maneuvers and called on all parties to exercise restraint.

Responding to statements from the Chinese Foreign Ministry blaming the Philippines for the incident, Lazaro was blunt:

“They will always say that,” she lamented.

On Monday, two Chinese ships shadowing the Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Suluan collided with each other. A Chinese People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) warship rammed a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel approximately 10.5 nautical miles east of Panatag Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc), while both were engaging in aggressive maneuvers against the PCG ship, BRP Suluan, which emerged unscathed from the encounter.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian accused the Philippines of causing the incident to escalate tension in the disputed shoal.

“Facts have proven once again that the Philippines’ intentional infringement and provocative activities at sea are the root cause for the tensions,” Lin Jian said.

China maintains that its actions in the area are legitimate measures taken to safeguard territorial integrity.

“It is legitimate and lawful for China to do what is necessary to safeguard our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in accordance with the law,” Lin added, pinning the blame squarely on Manila.

“China urges the Philippines to stop the infringement and provocative activities at once and refrain from challenging China’s firm resolve to safeguard our lawful rights and interests.”

Beijing continues to assert full sovereignty over Scarborough Shoal, despite a 2016 international arbitral ruling under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) that invalidated China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea.

The ruling backed the Philippines’ rights to fish and conduct patrols in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which includes the Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal).