Manila lodged a fresh diplomatic protest against Beijing over the swarming of over 100 Chinese vessels in Julian Felipe Reef. The Department of Foreign Affairs said the unauthorized presence of Chinese vessels in the Julian Felipe Reef, which is within the West Philippine Sea, is “not only illegal but also a source of instability in the region.” “The persistent swarming of Chinese vessels is contrary to international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the final and binding 2016 Arbitral Award. It is also a violation of China’s commitments under the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, in particular, the exercise of self-restraint pursuant to Paragraph 5 thereof,” the DFA said in a statement.

DFA protests return of over 100 Chinese vessels in WPS. (2022, June 10). Manila Standard, pp. A1-A2.