The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is currently studying the possibility of filing a new arbitral case against China following the recent incident at Escoda (Sabina) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), where the China Coast Guard intentionally rammed the Philippine Coast Guard vessel, BRP Teresa Magbanua.
According to Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, all possible options are being considered to address the escalating tension in the West Philippine Sea.
Manalo added that in the coming days or weeks, they expect to have a clearer picture of the direction this issue will take.
“Well, we’re contemplating, at the moment, possible approaches to this issue. And I think siguro in the coming days or weeks, we’ll probably have a better picture of where we’re headed for this. But certainly, it doesn’t help the situation,” Secretary Manalo said.
Meanwhile, the Philippine government is also taking the necessary steps to formally convey its complaint to China regarding the incident at Escoda or Sabina Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Manalo noted that the Philippines aims to communicate to Beijing the growing tension, especially considering that the movement of the Philippine vessel was innocent.
However, the Secretary emphasized that, as usual, China continues to accuse the Philippines of illegal activities, despite clear violations of international maritime laws by China.
“Well, we have made the necessary approaches to China in terms of contacting them through various means to express our complaint and displeasure at what happened. And not only that, our concern about raising tensions over what was basically just innocent movement by a Philippines vessel,” Secretary Manalo remarked.