MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada on Friday called on the Philippine government to file a “firm and unequivocal diplomatic protest” against China following an incident involving the China Coast Guard and a Philippine vessel in the West Philippine Sea.
According to initial reports, a China Coast Guard vessel allegedly used a water cannon and sideswiped the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ (BFAR) ship BRP Datu Sanday during a routine marine scientific research mission near Pagasa Cay 2 (Sandy Cay) on the morning of May 21. The BRP Datu Pagbuaya was also present during the operation.
Estrada cited repeated violations by Chinese vessels in the country’s exclusive economic zone and stressed the need for a strong diplomatic response to assert Philippine sovereignty.
As of Friday, the Department of Foreign Affairs has not issued an official statement regarding the incident or any potential protest. The Chinese government has not publicly responded to the allegations.