Statement Released by the DFA Spokesperson 

25 March 2024 – Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro had a telephone call with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong this morning.

Undersecretary Lazaro expressed the Philippines’ strongest protest against the aggressive actions undertaken by the China Coast Guard and Chinese Maritime Militia against the rotation and resupply mission undertaken by the Philippines in Ayungin Shoal on 23 March 2024.

The same protest has also been conveyed earlier to the Charge d’affaires, a.i. of the Chinese Embassy, who was summoned by the Department of Foreign Affairs this morning. The Philippine Embassy in Beijing has also lodged the same demarche. END