DFA summons Chinese Embassy officials over Ayungin Shoal incident

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) summoned Chinese Embassy officials, including Charge d'affaires Zhou Zhiyong, to protest aggressive actions by the China Coast Guard near Ayungin Shoal.

The DFA also ordered the Philippine Embassy in Beijing to lodge the same protest with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

China claims its water cannon response to the Philippine resupply mission was 'reasonable' and 'professional,' while protesting the alleged 'trespassing' of Philippine resupply vessels.

The Philippines stressed that China has no right to be in Ayungin Shoal, which is within the country's exclusive economic zone and continental shelf as per UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award.

The DFA emphasized that China's persistent interference in lawful Philippine activities within its EEZ is unacceptable and violates the country's sovereign rights and jurisdiction.

The Philippines has filed 147 diplomatic protests under the Marcos administration, with 14 lodged this year alone over China's incursions in the South China Sea.