The Philippines is bent on filing a diplomatic protest if it is proven that the Chinese Coast Guard is driving away Filipino fishermen from Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said on Monday. “They have to show proof that’s being done now [again]. If that is being done, certainly we will protest. We will not allow our countrymen to be subjected to that kind of harassment,” he said. He added: “If there was a negotiation, there was an agreement not to touch them (fishermen). And then one incident, two incidents violate this agreement, then we have to tell them (Chinese) and they will have to correct it.”

Aurelio, J. M., Cardinoza, G., Aglibot, J. R. (2019, March 26). Panelo: Show proof fishers being harassed in Panatag. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A7.