DFA STATEMENT 

MANILA 02 May 2024 - The Department of Foreign Affairs today summoned Chinese Embassy of Manila Deputy Chief of Mission Zhou Zhiyong over the 30 April 2024 harassment of Philippine vessels conducting a routine and regular humanitarian mission to Bajo de Masinloc.

The Philippines protested the harassment, ramming, swarming, shadowing and blocking, dangerous maneuvers, use of water cannons, and other aggressive actions of China Coast Guard and Chinese Maritime Militia vessels against the vessels of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) enroute to Bajo de Masinloc. China’s aggressive actions, particularly its water cannon use, caused damage to vessels of PCG and BFAR.

The Philippines demanded that Chinese vessels leave Bajo de Masinloc and its vicinity immediately. END