The Philippines has filed a diplomatic protest against China over the presence of hundreds of Chinese vessels near Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea, the Palace said Monday, even as it disputed a report that there were over 600 such boats circling the island. In a Palace briefing, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said an ABS-CBN report was exaggerated and that there were only 275 Chinese vessels spotted near the island from January to March this year. He also insisted the Chinese vessels were not “circling” the island but were merely stationary.

Mariano, N., & Requejo, R. E. (2019, April 2). PH protests Chinese tactics. Manila Standard, pp. A1, A2.