By Myris Lee
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has summoned a Chinese Embassy senior official to protest the alleged “harassment” by the China Coast Guard (CCG) of a marine research vessel in the West Philippine Sea.
The DFA said the summoning happened on April 13 after the Washington-based Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative reported that the CCG shadowed RV Legend, a Taiwanese research vessel with Filipino scientist passengers while conducting research in the Philippines.
“The Department summoned a senior official of the Chinese Embassy in Manila to protest the harassment by CCG on RV Legend, which had been conducting an authorized marine scientific research (MSR) activity, with Philippine scientists on board,” the DFA said in a statement.
“The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs takes appropriate diplomatic action for violations of Philippine sovereignty and sovereign rights within our maritime jurisdiction,” it added.
The DFA assured the conduct of diplomatic actions against violation of the country’s foreign rights and maritime jurisdiction to protect national security and territorial integrity. – ag
