The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has lodged 39 diplomatic protests against China’s activities in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) so far this year, a senior foreign affairs official told lawmakers Thursday.
DFA Maritime Affairs Spokesperson and Deputy Assistant Secretary Regelio Villanueva Jr. disclosed the figure during the agency’s budget deliberations before the House of Representatives.
“From 2026 this year, we have already issued 39 protests. And from 2022 to 2026, the total number of diplomatic protests that we have issued stands at 296 already,” he said.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro, meanwhile, said the Philippines has observed some changes in China’s activities following the repeated diplomatic protests.
Asked about the impact of the protests, Lazaro pointed to what she described as a decline in certain confrontational incidents involving Chinese vessels.
“The only change that I can cite right now is that the incidents that have happened in the past, the water cannoning, the laser, I think it has sort of decreased, and therefore these are the significant changes,” Lazaro said during the hearing.
She noted, however, that Chinese military vessels continue to be reported by Philippine defense authorities.
“Although we know very well that our defense establishments have always been citing also the Chinese military vessels,” she added.
Villanueva said the DFA is working closely with Philippine security agencies as the government addresses continuing developments in the WPS.
“We have to understand also that results on the ground may take time because while diplomacy is the bigger tool in the government’s toolbox, we have to work in tandem with other government agencies, particularly our security agencies, our National Maritime Council, because this is a whole-of-government effort,” Villanueva said.
He stressed that diplomatic efforts should be viewed as part of a broader government response and warned against expecting immediate changes.
“So all these things will factor in. This is not to say that we expect to see immediate results because we have to be patient. We have to take time,” he added.
Chinese vessels monitored in WPS
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported Tuesday that it had monitored 56 Chinese vessels operating around several Philippine-held or disputed features in the West Philippine Sea during August 2026.
The vessels were recorded in the following areas:
- Ayungin Shoal: 18 Chinese vessels — 17 China Coast Guard (CCG) ships and one People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessel
- Bajo de Masinloc: 23 — 14 CCG ships and nine PLAN vessels
- Escoda Shoal: Nine — five CCG ships and four PLAN vessels
- Pag-asa Islands: Six — five CCG ships and one PLAN vessel
The August figure was higher than the 48 Chinese vessels monitored in the disputed waters the previous month.
No compensation yet for injured Filipino sailor
The AFP also reported that China has yet to provide compensation to a Filipino sailor who lost a finger during a 2024 confrontation in the West Philippine Sea.
According to the military, the serviceman received assistance from private individuals, civil society organizations, and members of the Philippine private sector following the incident.
On June 17, 2024, Philippine Navy Seaman First Class Underwater Operator Jeffrey Facundo lost his right thumb when Chinese vessels collided with Philippine boats during an AFP rotation and resupply mission for the BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal.