Ayungin Shoal Incidents Spark PH Diplomatic Protest VS China

The Philippines filed yet another diplomatic protest against China over the recent Ayungin Shoal incursions, which are part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

This comes after China’s illegal fishing in Philippine waters, the blocking of the entrance of Ayungin Shoal, and the shadowing of Chinese Coast Guard ships on Philippine boats on rotation & reprovision missions.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) released a statement via Twitter Friday, which elaborated on the incidents.

“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 the installation of buoys & fish nets that blocked the shoal’s entrance,” the DFA tweet read.

Moreover, the DFA also emphasized that China does not have the right to fish and intervene with Philippine activities in the area.

“The 2016 Arbitral Award affirmed that Ayungin Shoal is within PH EEZ and continental shelf. CN (China) has no right to fish, monitor, or interfere with PH’s legitimate activities therein,” DFA said.

The DFA also called on China to comply with UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award.

“PH calls on CN to comply with its obligations under international law, including UNCLOS and the Arbitral Award,” the DFA tweet added.

This is the second diplomatic protest the Philippines filed against China over separate incidents in one week after the DFA filed a diplomatic protest against China after the latter mandated a unilateral fishing ban which included Philippine waters.

The DFA also filed a diplomatic protest against China in April in an incident involving 100 Chinese vessels in the Julian Felipe Reef.

In a report by GMA’s Unang Balita, China insisted that the West Philippine Sea is a “traditional fishing ground” for the Chinese. (GFB)