DFA: Other measures can be used to resolve West PH Sea concerns

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 5) —The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday said there are other tools available to address issues in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) other than a diplomatic protest.

«Filing diplomatic protests is not the only measure we use,» DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo told News Night.

«There is the common approach or tool of summoning the diplomatic party concerned – could be the ambassador or an officer, or even making démarches to the foreign ministry of the country concerned. And of course we have other mechanisms of discussing these issues such as a consultation mechanisms, bilateral mechanisms,» the secretary said.

Going to court is also «always an option,» Manalo added.

«Whatever course of action we take, and we might take, the priority of course will be to observe existing international rules and regulations, and also to be sure that whatever action we take will be consistent with international law,» he stressed.

Manalo said other agencies would also be involved if the Philippines decides to take actions beyond diplomatic measures.

In August, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra formed a panel to study the country's options regarding the landmark 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China's sweeping claims in the South China Sea.

Guevarra also said his office will review all incidents in the WPS since 2016 to collect evidence and build a case against China.

Manalo has said that since 2020, 447 diplomatic protests have been filed over the WPS issue. Out of these, he said more than 400 have been «more or less» addressed to China.