Manila: To protest the China Coast Guard's use of a water cannon against a Filipino supply boat in the contested South China Sea, the Philippines summoned Beijing's ambassador to Manila on Monday.

The Second Thomas Shoal, also known as Ayungin Shoal in Manila, is where the Philippine Coast Guard said on Sunday that its Chinese counterpart had used a water cannon and other "dangerous" tactics to block a chartered Philippine vessel that was on a routine troop rotation and resupply mission.

Speaking at a press conference in Manila, Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Teresita Daza mentioned that Undersecretary (Theresa) Lazaro had issued a note verbale during the summons of the Chinese ambassador.

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This morning, Lazaro informed the Chinese ambassador of the Philippine government's vehement protest. China must immediately cease all of its illegal activities in our maritime zones, the Philippines demands.

On Monday morning, Daza added, the Philippine ambassador to China delivered a note of protest to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Since 2020, the Philippines has lodged more than 400 diplomatic protests against China; so far this year, almost thirty have been lodged.

The Philippines will continue, in the words of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., "to assert our territorial rights in the face of all of these challenges and consistent with the international law."

Following the discovery of numerous "Chinese maritime militia" in the disputed, resource-rich waterway last month, the Philippines increased patrols in its portion of the South China Sea.

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Based on its so-called "nine-dash line," which extends more than 1,500 km off its mainland and enters the exclusive economic zones of several nations, including the Philippines, China asserts sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea.

Beijing has increased activities in the area recently, including developing its military presence by constructing artificial island bases, despite the fact that an international tribunal in The Hague dismissed the extensive Chinese claim to the waters in 2016. Beijing does not recognise the decision.

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The National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea, also known as the Philippine portion of the South China Sea, was represented by Jonathan Malaya, who stated, "We will never abandon Ayungin Shoal."

We are specifically on the island to reassure the Filipino people that we are adhering to the president's order to maintain every square inch of our territory.