The Philippine government will file a diplomatic protest on China's recent harassment against the Philippine vessels conducting marine scientific research in the vicinity of Pag-asa Cay 2 (Sandy Cay) in the West Philippine Sea, the National Maritime Council said on Friday.

"Appropriate diplomatic actions, multilateral cooperation, and maritime capacity-building will be undertaken and sustained to ensure the safety and effectiveness of Philippine maritime operations," the Council stated.

"These deliberate acts of interference and intimidation seriously violate the sovereignty of the Philippines and constitute a grave violation of international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the relevant domestic laws," it added.

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessels BRP Datu Sanday and BRP Datu Pagbuaya were on a routine marine scientific research mission when they were harassed by the China Coast Guard.

During the harassment the CCG vessel 21559 water cannoned and sideswiped the BRP Datu Sanday twice, resulting in some damage to the latter’s port bow and smokestack.

"It is deeply regrettable that while the Philippines’ lawful and routine maritime operations have not been provocative, these have been met by a pattern of coercive actions, unsafe conduct, and blatant disinformation by Chinese maritime forces," he said.

"The NMC assures the nation that the Philippines remains committed to the peaceful settlement of disputes, but at the same time will continue to exercise its rights, protect its maritime interests, and uphold the mandates of our civilian agencies, like the DA-BFAR, in carrying out their responsibilities in our waters," he added. Robina Asido/DMS