Philippines 'seeks clarification' from China on ‘forceful’ retaking of rocket debris

This handout photo taken on March 2, 2022 and released by Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on March 27, shows a Chinese coast guard ship (L) shadowing a Philippine coast guard vessel (R) while conducting a maritime patrol in Scarborough Shoal in South China sea. The Philippine coastguard accused its Chinese counterpart on March 27 of illegally steering one of its ships close to a Filipino patrol vessel on March 2 in disputed South China Sea waters, risking a collision.

Handout / Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) / AFP

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is “seeking clarification” from China on the reported “forceful” seizure of rocket debris by the Chinese Coast Guard from the Philippine Navy, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said Thursday.

In an interview on CNN Philippines’ “The Source”, Manalo said Manila has sent Beijing a note verbale on the incident first reported by Navy Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos. The latter accused China’s coast guard of blocking a Filipino rubber boat towing an “unidentified floating object” in the disputed Spratly Islands in the West Philippine Sea.

“We have, of course, our own reports but we would like to hear it from the side of China. And at the same time, we will continue monitoring these incidents and will see what further diplomatic action might be needed,” Manalo said.

Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/11/24/2226145/philippines-seeks-clarification-china-forceful-retaking-rocket-debris