A diplomatic protest against China over the Escoda Shoal incident on Monday is being studied by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The move is in line with the Philippines’ aim to pursue a peaceful approach to the issue, Vice Admiral Alexander Lopez Jr., National Maritime Council (NMC) spokesperson, said in a press briefing in Malacañang on Tuesday.

“One of those actions that we are considering, as you all know, in any activities naman in the past, our Department of Foreign Affairs would probably file a diplomatic protest or note verbale, and this is seriously being studied by the Department of Foreign Affairs,” Lopez said.

In the early hours of August 19, Chinese Coast Guard vessels rammed and damaged two Philippine Coast Guard vessels in the vicinity of Escoda Shoal, he said.

The “unprofessional and dangerous actions” of the Chinese Coast Guard vessels were in violation of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1972 Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs),” he added.

During the press briefing, Lopez said the Philippines is still pursuing a diplomatic or peaceful approach, saying kinetic actions, “would not be in the best interest of our country and of China and even in the region.”

“Well, in line with the President’s directive. Kasi if we will be going beyond diplomatic or peaceful approach, you can just imagine. Maybe if you’re referring to more kinetic actions, that will not be to the best interest of our country and of China, and even in the region,” Lopez said.

“So, we’re looking at this approach. We can never go wrong by using this diplomatic and peaceful approach and we are compliant ‘no to the Code of Conduct that we have signed in 2002, that among others, parties will restraint ‘no, will exercise restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or even escalate the dispute in the area among others,” he added. PND