Esperon: Task force recommends diplomatic protest vs. China's 'swarming' activity

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon on Wednesday said the country's inter-agency task force on the West Philippine Sea has recommended the filing of a diplomatic protest over China's recent "swarming" activity in the disputed waters.

According to Chino Gaston's report on GMA News TV's Balitanghali, Esperon confirmed reports that 113 Chinese vessels have surrounded Pag-asa Island last July 25.

The security adviser said intelligence is looking into the activity, saying the "swarming"activity could be a "dry run" for a plan to block resupply missions around the disputed territory.

The security adviser said intelligence is looking into the "swarming"activity, remarking that it could be a "dry run" of a plan to block resupply missions around the disputed territory.

Protest 'fired off'

On the same day, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro "Teddy Boy" Locsin Jr. said the Philippines has already filed a diplomatic protest over the "swarming" activity.

Locsin made the confirmation on his Twitter account, where he retweeted a GMA News tweet about the plan.

"Diplomatic protest fired off," the Department of Foreign Affairs chief tweeted.

Note verbale

During the briefing on Wednesday, Esperon said the Philippines has already submitted to China a note verbale on the transit of Chinese warships that have passed through the Sibutu strait without informing the Philippine government.

He said that while it was clear that this movement along the waterway was "innocent passage," foreign ships should at least notify the Philippine government.

The security adviser, meanwhile, dismissed the claim that Sandy Cay has already been “seized” by China, citing an agreement wherein none of the two nations would occupy the sand bar.

Esperon stressed that the Philippines is determined to protect its rights over natural resources in the West Philippine Sea "peacefully."

The country is reportedly bolstering the presence of Philippine Coast Guard and Navy assets on Philippine-controlled islands.

The government also plans to procure unmanned aerial vehicles from the US to help in monitoring Philippine waters. — Margaret Claire Layug/MDM, GMA News