DFA: Philippines filed 241 diplomatic protests vs. China since 2016

The Philippines has so far filed 241 diplomatic protests against China since the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled against Beijing’s massive claims in 2016, a Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) official disclosed Monday.

Deputy assistant secretary Myca Magnolia Fischer, the executive director of DFA Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs told the Senate Foreign Relations committee that the government has released 241 protests, of which, 183 were filed in 2021 as part of the “daily protest” which was launched after the swarming of Chinese vessels in Julian Felipe Reef as well as the incidents in Pag-asa Islands.

Fischer also disclosed that China has responded to 152 of 241 diplomatic protests filed.

However, Senator Panfilo Lacson asked if there are any positive outcomes after the filing of such protests.

“Ano ang napala natin? [Are there] any positive outcome?” Lacson asked.

Fischer, in response, said it is part of “political and legal warfare.”

“Of course, we have received the response from the Chinese side. They have been reiterating their position, but the filing of diplomatic protest has significance legally and politically,” she said.

Pressed to answer how these diplomatic protests would help the Philippines’ assertion of rights over the West Philippine Sea, Fischer explained that these will show that the government is not “estopping.”

“That’s why we continue to express our protest to their incursions in our territory, sovereignty, and sovereign rights, we need to be a persistent objector,” she added.

Still, Lacson said these actions are just for “future reference” as there no immediate positive outcome.

“But at least we look forward to something positive in the future. It may be not in the near future, but in the future, baka d’yan natin makita ‘yong  (maybe until then, we would see the) positive outcome ng mga pina-file nating (of the) diplomatic protests. Is that correct? So no matter what, we will not get tired of filing diplomatic protests, if need be,” Lacson said.

Fischer’s position was backed by retired Ambassador Gilberto Asuque, emphasizing the need for consistent objection to China’ incursion in the West Philippine Sea.

This would prevent the situation where China’s actions will become “customary” in international law, he explained.

“Perhaps, the DFA could include the number of protests signed and sent by the Philippines to China starting from 1995 when China set up what is called just a fisherman shelter and all of these diplomatic protests were incorporated in the decision of the arbitral award…we have to continue doing that,” Asuque recommended.

“The most important effect of that, Mr. Senator, is really to counter China, that they have no right in the West Philippine Sea. This is very clear in the arbitral award,” he said.

The Senate Foreign Relations committee has tackled three bills which seek to define and declare maritime zones under the jurisdiction of the Philippines, as well as Lacson’s resolution condemning the continued presence and hostile acts committed by Chinese maritime ships. -NB, GMA News