PH to protest China's air harassment over Scarborough Shoal
​The Philippine government will protest China's recent air harassment against the Philippine Air Force (PAF) over Scarborough Shoal.
"I was informed a diplomatic protest will be sent within the day," Ma. Teresita Daza, spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), said Monday, August 12.
DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo, in a chance interview, said the agency will "definitely" protest Beijing's action as it came at a time when "tension at sea was already calming down."
DFA's pronouncement came after President Marcos hit the "unjustified, illegal and reckless" move made by China's People Liberation Army's Air Force when its multi-role fighter jets made dangerous maneuvers and dropped flares near the PAF patrol plane while flying in the airspace over the West Philippine Sea on August 8.
Despite China's continued harassment that had also been conducted over the air, the government remains committed to conducting dialogue to manage tensions.
Talks will still be pursued in the absence of an arrangement agreed by both sides.
This came amid concerns that China remained aggressive despite a provisional understanding that was already reached to prevent tension during the Philippines' rotation and resupply mission (RORE) to the grounded BRP Sierra Madre in the Ayungin Shoal.
​"The Philippines adopts a de-escalatory approach to tensions in the West Philippine Sea. It remains committed to diplomacy and peaceful means of resolving disputes​," Daza said.