Following the recent incident in Ayungin Shoal, where the Chinese Coast Guard deployed water cannons and allegedly used unsafe tactics against Philippine vessels, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced on Monday that a note verbale had been sent to Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian.

“As is customary, our Secretary of Foreign Affairs visited Ambassador Huang today and delivered another note verbale, along with pictures and videos detailing the events,” Marcos said.

“Actually today, after the change of command in the CGPA, we will have a command conference to discuss our response to this issue,” he added.

“We will see what their response will be,” Marcos said.

A note verbale is a diplomatic message exchanged between governments through official representatives.

Marcos also pledged that the Philippine government would persistently assert its territorial claims in the West Philippine Sea, but he declined to delve further into the operational aspects of the issue.

“We will continue to assert our sovereignty and territorial rights, despite these challenges, in accordance with international law and Unclos (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea),” President Marcos emphasized.

“Maintaining communication with the Chinese government remains important,” Marcos stressed.

On Sunday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines reported that a Chinese Coast Guard vessel blocked and used a water cannon against a Philippine Coast Guard boat on a resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal, showing blatant disregard for the safety of those on board and violating international law.