The Philippine government has filed another diplomatic protest against China, this time in connection with the swarming of over 100 Chinese vessels in Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine (South China) Sea.
“Diplomatic protest fired off,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. tweeted yesterday shortly after National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. sought the filing of a protest over the reported presence of at least 113 Chinese vessels around Pag-asa (Thitu) Island on July 24.
Pag-asa is the biggest island occupied by the Philippines in the contested South China Sea.
Senator Emmanuel Joel Villanueva urged Locsin to “reveal the contents of the protest, especially since our National Security Adviser Esperon has raised the alarm on threats to our country’s national security.”
Senator Panfilo Lacson claimed the encircling of Pag-asa Island by Chinese vessels is part of China’s “cabbage strategy” to grab contested islands and islets.
“Chinese military’s ‘cabbage strategy’ is now fully operational after it was announced and launched at least five years ago,” Lacson said on Twitter.
Maj. Gen. Zhang Zhaozhong, a Chinese military expert, had said that in “recovering” the Huangyan (Scarborough) Island from Philippine control, China resorted to “cabbage strategy” wherein an island is “wrapped layer by layer like a cabbage.” 
President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto welcomed the filing of the protest. “We may be divided on many issues, but we are united on this one,” he said.
“The people hope that this becomes the template of response to future acts of aggression by other countries. We should not tire of peacefully airing out our grievance,” Recto said in a text message.
“The filing of the diplomatic protest on the reported swarming of Chinese ships on Filipino fisherfolk is a welcome development,” Villanueva said. “Pag-asa Island is Philippine territory. Basic courtesy and propriety dictate that one asks permission to pass through our waters.” 
Esperon said some 113 Chinese vessels were seen on July 24 surrounding Pag-asa (Thitu) Island.
“It could be to prevent you from patrolling the area or it could be a dry run, there are so many possibilities,” he told reporters in a news forum.
In February, dozens of Chinese vessels also circled Pag-asa Island. Esperon said the Philippine Coast Guard would continue to patrol the area.
He admitted that China has the “positional advantage” in the disputed islands, but Manila would also boost its presence in Philippine-held islands.
The Philippines, Esperon said, must continue to build its capabilities.
“In a short while we will have our own equipment … all we have to do now is to increase our coast guard vessels,” the security official added.
In the same forum, Esperon called on China to seek diplomatic clearance when its vessels or carriers pass through Philippine territory.
“At least inform us, after all, we should be dealing as friends,” he said, referring to the reported passage of Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning through Sibutu Strait in Sulu.
Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana yesterday said Beijing had not taken over any islands in the South China Sea after it occupied Mischief (Panganiban) Reef, where the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has built military installations.
Lorenzana said he raised the issue with Chinese Defence Minister Gen. Wei Fenghe. “I told him that they are actually driving a mini-arms race in the region, that we smaller nations are spending money on buying firearms rather than on development,” he said. “We are happy right now because they have not occupied any new isles there,” Lorenzana added.