The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has filed a diplomatic protest against China over the recent incident off Ayungin Shoal where a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel pointed a military-grade laser light to a Philippine ship. In a statement, the DFA said it released the diplomatic protest to the Chinese Embassy in Manila on February 14, condemning the “shadowing, harassment, dangerous maneuvers, directing of military-grade laser, and illegal radio challenges” by CCG vessel 5205 against Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel BRP Malapascua on February 6.

Peralta-Malonzo, T. A. (2023, February 15). DFA files diplomatic protest against China anew. SunStar Cebu, p. 3.