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Support for Philippines’ diplomatic protest against Chinese boats ‘swarming’ in disputed South China Sea
- President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration has in recent months been criticised over its perceived inability to confront Beijing’s presence
- China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan and Brunei have overlapping claims to the waterway, where more than US$3 trillion worth of trade passes yearly
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Manila’s diplomatic protest over Chinese boats “swarming” near a Philippine-administered island in the South China Sea has been supported by several senators and analysts, who urged the government to be more assertive in defending the country’s sovereignty.
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“We should not tire of peacefully airing out our grievance,” Senator Ralph Recto told local media, while former foreign affairs secretary Albert del Rosario said Manila should go to the United Nations if its diplomatic protest proved ineffective.
Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jnr confirmed via Twitter he had filed a protest after the Philippines’ top security official revealed more than 100 Chinese boats were observed “swarming” near Pag-asa Island, also known as Thitu Island, in February and July.
“I think that Secretary Locsin is doing his best in terms of the issues we have against China,” Del Rosario told CNN Philippines.
Chinese warships also passed through the Sibutu Strait, near the Philippines’ southern tip, without prior clearance, national security adviser Hermogenes Esperon said on Wednesday.
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