THE Philippine government has filed another diplomatic protest against China, after the military claimed over the weekend that more than 600 Chinese vessels have been circling Pag-asa Island (Thitu Island) in the West Philippine (South China) Sea since January.

'I understand that we have filed a diplomatic protest, per the Western Command. The DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) already made a diplomatic protest... for that incident, for the so-called vessels being stationed there [in the island],' Palace Spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a press briefing on Monday.