47 protests filed vs China in 2025

THE PHILIPPINES has filed 47 diplomatic protests against China this year, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said amid rising tensions in the South China Sea.

During the DFA’s budget hearing on Tuesday, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro said that the Philippines has filed 47 diplomatic protests so far in 2025, and a total of 245 since 2022.

“The latest diplomatic protest is what just happened recently in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal),” Ms. Lazaro told senators.

On Sunday, the Philippine Coast Guard reported that a Chinese vessel collided with a Philippine ship near Thitu Island.

Thitu, which the Philippines calls Pag-asa, is part of the resource-rich Spratly Islands. It is about 12 nautical miles (22 kilometers) from China’s air and naval base at Subi Reef. The island is the largest of the Philippine-occupied islands in the Spratlys and is the only one with a permanent civilian settlement.

Separately, the US State Department condemned China’s recent ramming of a Philippine vessel near the sea feature.

“We stand with our Philippine allies as they confront China’s dangerous actions which undermine regional stability,” US Department of State Principal Deputy Spokesperson Thomas Pigott said in a statement

Mr. Pigott added that Beijing continues to undermine regional stability and disregard prior commitments to resolve disputes peacefully.

“The United States reaffirms Article IV of the 1951 United States-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft – including those of its Coast Guard – anywhere in the South China Sea,” he said.

Manila and Washington are treaty allies, which obligates both nations to come to each other’s aid in the event of an armed attack in the Pacific, including the South China Sea. — Adrian H. Halili