Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro reaffirmed on Thursday that the Philippines will continue to rely on diplomacy and dialogue in dealing with tensions with China over the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Testifying before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Lazaro said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is utilizing various mechanisms, including the bilateral consultative mechanism with China, to ease tensions and prevent escalation.
She cited that since June 2024, a provisional arrangement on Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal has helped avoid further incidents during supply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre.
“These mechanisms may not have an immediate impact, but diplomacy definitely has a very important role,” Lazaro stressed, adding that diplomatic protests are crucial as they form official records used in international arbitration.
However, Committee Chair Senator Imee Marcos expressed frustration over the lack of results, noting that over 300 diplomatic protests have been filed against China with little to no effect.
“It’s embarrassing that we keep sending protests but they’re being ignored,” Marcos said.
Senator Erwin Tulfo questioned the government’s continued adherence to the One China policy while the Philippines is “bullied” in its own waters. He also raised security concerns, pointing to the presence of Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy vessels near Ayungin Shoal.
“Diplomacy without deterrence is weakness,” Tulfo warned, stressing that Filipino fishers, Coast Guard, and Navy personnel remain vulnerable to harassment.
Lazaro responded that while security forces manage operational concerns at sea, the DFA remains committed to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive that disputes must be resolved peacefully through dialogue and international engagement.
