Marilyn Cahatol

A Philippine flag is seen perched on a Philippine Coast Guard-manned vessel as it conducts patrols at Whitsun Reef, South China Sea, in a handout photo distributed by the Philippine Coast Guard on April 15 and taken according to the source either on April 13 or 14, 2021. Handout, Philippine Coast Guard

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<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177474912788620210415-ph-coast-guard-julian-felipe-reef-HO-11.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">A Philippine flag is seen perched on a Philippine Coast Guard-manned vessel as it conducts patrols at Whitsun Reef, South China Sea, in a handout photo distributed by the Philippine Coast Guard on April 15 and taken according to the source either on April 13 or 14, 2021.<em> Handout, Philippine Coast Guard </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs said the Philippines has reiterated its positions and raised concerns over China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea that have affected the safety of Filipino personnel and fishermen, in its consultations with its giant neighbor this week. </p><p>The two countries convened back-to-back the 24th Foreign Ministry Consultations (FMC) and the 11th Meeting of the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) on the South China Sea on March 27 and 28 in Quanzhou City in Fujian Province, China. </p><p>DFA said the Philippines raised its concern over incidents affecting the safety of Filipino personnel and fishermen, including actions that have disrupted lawful activities and posed risks in the West Philippine Sea. <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/27/-intentional-afp-says-near-collision-with-navy-ship-an-escalation-by-china-1259"><br/></a></p><p>The Philippines also called for diplomacy and communication for managing differences at sea, and upholding the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, ruling that the Philippines has the sovereign rights over the disputed area. </p><p>China does not recognize the 2016 ruling that invalidated its sweeping claims in the South China Sea, part of which Manila calls the West Philippine Sea.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/25/marcos-very-serious-restructuring-of-relations-with-china-certainly-going-to-happen-1300">Marcos: ‘Very serious restructuring’ of relations with China ‘certainly going to happen’<br/></a></div><p>During the consultations, both countries expressed bilateral concerns, including strategic, political-security and law enforcement issues, said DFA. </p><p>It noted that the Philippines reaffirmed its commitment to handle bilateral issues in line with its national interest, while advancing mutually beneficial cooperation especially in the economic and people-to-people areas. </p><p>The consultations come two days after a Philippine Navy warship successfully <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/26/ph-navy-ship-averts-collision-with-chinese-warship-near-pag-asa-2340">averted a potential collision</a> with that of China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy, which executed a dangerous maneuver during a maritime operation near Pag-asa Island.</p><p>The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Friday described the near-collision incident as an <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/27/-intentional-afp-says-near-collision-with-navy-ship-an-escalation-by-china-1259">escalation</a>, noting that the encounter marked an alarming development since encounters more commonly involve civilian vessels like the coast guard.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/18/chinese-ships-harass-ph-fishers-challenge-pcg-plane-at-scarborough-1607">Chinese ships harass PH fishers, challenge PCG plane at Scarborough</a></div><div> </div><div><strong>ECONOMY, ASEAN</strong></div><p>Aside from maritime concerns, the two countries also discussed potential economic cooperation, especially amid the Middle East conflict, “with the reconvening of appropriate bilateral mechanisms identified as a necessary step.”</p><p>Possible tourism agreements were also tackled, including visa-free arrangements, enhanced connectivity, and new direct air routes between the two countries, DFA said.  </p><p>The agency noted that the Philippines, which now chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, vowed to be responsible and professional in managing regional discussions, upholding ASEAN centrality, and reinforcing a “rules-based order that contributes to regional peace and stability.” </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5j5xBcL_FyM?si=viqQJ6j7ocJ6ek5Q" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>The Department of Foreign Affairs said the Philippines has reiterated its positions and raised concerns over China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea that have affected the safety of Filipino personnel and fishermen, in consultations its giant neighbor this week.</p>

The Department of Foreign Affairs said the Philippines has reiterated its positions and raised concerns over China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea that have affected the safety of Filipino personnel and fishermen, in consultations its giant neighbor this week.

PH raises concern over China’s actions in West PH Sea at Fujian meeting

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PH raises concern over China’s actions in West PH Sea at Fujian meeting

Marilyn Cahatol,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 29, 2026 10:11 AM PHT

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Updated March 29, 2026 11:27 AM PHT

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Philippines

China

West Philippine Sea

South China Sea

consultations

UNCLOS

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