The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has protested China's latest "provocative acts" against Philippine authorities patrolling the country's waters.
In a statement posted on its Twitter account late Wednesday, Oct. 20, the Foreign Affairs department bared that it has monitored "over 200 radio challenges, sounding of sirens, and blowing of horns" conducted by Chinese government vessels.
"DFA protested the unlawful issuance of over 200 radio challenges, sounding of sirens, and blowing of horns by Chinese government vessels against Philippine authorities conducting legitimate, customary, and routine patrols over and around the Philippines' territory and maritime zones," the department said.
The DFA, however, did not provide further details about the incidents.
"These provocative acts threaten the peace, good order, and security of the South China Sea and run contrary to China's obligations under international law," the DFA added.
@DFAPHL protested the unlawful issuance of over 200 radio challenges, sounding of sirens, and blowing of horns by Chinese government vessels against Philippine authorities conducting legitimate, customary, and routine patrols over and around the Philippines' territory and (1/2)
— DFA Philippines (@DFAPHL) October 20, 2021
On Sept. 30 this year, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. ordered the DFA to protest over the continued presence of at least 150 Chinese vessels moving around from "one spot to another" in the West Philippine Sea, particularly in Iroquois Reef.
During that time, radio challenges were also unlawfully issued against Philippine maritime patrols.
At the same time, the DFA was also ordered to file a protest on China's “incessant and unlawful restriction of Filipino fishermen from conducting legitimate fishing activities in Bajo de Masinloc.”