DFA filing daily protests over Chinese ships in Julian Felipe Reef —Locsin

Philippines will not stop filing diplomatic protests against China unless all Chinese vessels leave Julian Felipe Reef in the West Philippine Sea, the nation's top diplomat said Wednesday.

"Firing another diplomatic protest. Everyday til the last one’s gone like it should be by now if it is really fishing," Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said on Twitter.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has filed a diplomatic protest in March, when at least 220 Chinese boats were spotted moored off the Reef. 

The number has since dwindled to 44.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana previously issued a strongly-worded statement against China demanding the pullout of the remaining 44 ships from the Reef, believed to be manned by Chinese militia. 

In a previous statement, Senator Risa Hontiveros urged DFA to engage in diplomatic initiatives with ASEAN states over China's incursions at the disputed waters. 

Meanwhile, Malacañang said it will assert Philippines' territorial claims at the Julian Felipe Reef, which is within the country's exclusive economic zone, but  noted that it will not use force against China in doing so. —Consuelo Marquez/KBK, GMA News