PH raises Ayungin attack, China Daily monkey video with China FM Wang Yi

The Philippines reiterated its "strong" protest over the China Coast Guard’s actions against Filipino Navy personnel at Ayungin Shoal during a bilateral meeting between Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

The two foreign ministers on Wednesday on the sidelines of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Pasay City

“Secretary Lazaro reiterated the Philippines’ strong protest over the violent actions committed by China Coast Guard personnel against Filipino navy personnel at Ayungin Shoal on 20 July 2026,” the statement said.

In the incident, CCG members hit the Filipinos with batons, with one Navy man ending up with a bloody head injury.

China has accused the Philippines of "distorting facts" and denying that they struck first.

Lazaro also raised concerns over actions that violated the Philippines’ maritime rights and endangered Filipino military personnel and fishermen. She likewise reiterated the country’s call for the removal of the remaining structures in Bajo de Masinloc.

“She conveyed the Philippines’s consistent and principled positions on the South China Sea, and raised concerns over actions that have infringed on the maritime rights and entitlements, including incidents affecting the safety of Filipino personnel and fishermen, and reiterated the removal of remaining structures in Bajo de Masinloc,” the statement said.

Racist monkey video

The DFA also strongly objected to a China Daily video released on July 10 that depicted Filipinos as monkeys.

According to Lazaro, disagreements over legal and political issues do not justify the use of offensive and disturbing portrayals.

“The Secretary emphasized that disagreements over legal and political issues do not justify resorting to disturbing imagery, drawing a firm line at the depiction of Filipinos as monkeys in the 10 July 2026 China Daily video, which is deeply offensive, distressing, and unacceptable,” the statement said.

The Philippines also urges China to exercise restraint, avoid actions that could further increase tensions, and resolve disputes peacefully in accordance with international law.

“The Philippines emphasized the need to exercise restraint, avoid actions that increase tensions, and resolve disputes peacefully in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award,” the statement says.

During the meeting, Lazaro and Wang discussed the overall state of Philippines-China relations, including political and security matters, maritime and law enforcement issues, trade and investment, agriculture, tourism, connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges.

Both sides emphasized the importance on keeping communication channels open, improving mutual understanding, strengthening confidence-building measures, and reducing the risk of miscalculation.
They also discussed the progress of negotiations on the ASEAN-China Code of Conduct in the South China Sea and expressed their continued willingness to conclude the talks within the year.

According to DFA, both sides underscored the importance of maintaining peace, security, and stability in the region while sustaining dialogue on issues of mutual concern. — BM, GMA News