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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 21) – There is no need to file diplomatic protests against countries that do not have an active conflict with the Philippines over the South China Sea, the foreign secretary said.
Foreign Secretary Teodoro “Teddy Boy” Locsin Jr. told lawmakers at a House budget hearing Monday that he sees no reason for the country to file a diplomatic protest against Vietnam, Taiwan and Malaysia over having occupied maritime elements in the South China Sea. .
On Monday, Vice President Luis Raymond “LRay” Villafuerte asked Locsin if the secretary has plans to present a diplomatic protest against the aforementioned countries, as the department did with China.
“I don’t think we have active conflicts with Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan. So there is no need for diplomatic protests, ”Locsin said.
The Department of Foreign Relations confirmed that the aforementioned countries occupy maritime characteristics within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.
The country recently filed a diplomatic protest against China after the Chinese Coast Guard illegally seized fish harvesting devices from Filipino fishermen in the Masinloc Bass, also known as the Scarborough Shoal in May.
“Since China claims the entire South China Sea with the line of nine lines, and they move with their vessels. So from time to time, when they break into our territory, we hold a diplomatic protest, ”Locsin said.
According to the secretary, 54 diplomatic protests against China have been filed and 42 have already been responded to.
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