Panibagong diplomatic protest ang inihain ng Pilipinas laban sa China kaugnay sa banggaan ng mga sasakyang pandagat ng Pilipinas at China sa resupply mission sa BRP Sierra Madre sa Ayungin Shoal.
Inanunsiyo ito ng Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) at ipinatawag na rin ng kagawaran si Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) Zhou Zhiyong ng Chinse Embassy, ayon kay DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza,
“Ayungin Shoal is part of the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone and continental shelf and the country has “every right under the UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) to carry out legitimate activities in our maritime zone and that we do not accept any form of interference,” ani Daza.
Samantala, ipinatawag sa Malakanyang ni Pangulong Marcos Jr., ang kanyang national security at defense officials para sa buong detalye ng insidente.
Ayon kay Defense Sec. Gilbert Teodoro nagbigay din ng paalala ang Punong Ehekutibo sa mga kinauukulang ahensiya.
“We are taking this incident seriously at the highest level of government. The use by China of brute force behind disingenuous façades necessitates this course of action,” ani Teodoro.