When Filipino Lives and Dignity Are Both Challenged

Article by F. Palafox

Published on July 23, 2026 8:00AM

MANILA, Philippines — Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro on Wednesday delivered Manila’s strong protest to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi over the injuries suffered by Filipino servicemen in a clash with China Coast Guard personnel at Ayungin Shoal, while also pressing Beijing to dismantle remaining Chinese structures at Panatag Shoal and criticizing a China Daily video that depicted Filipinos as monkeys. ¹

Protest at Ayungin

Lazaro reiterated the Philippines’ strong protest over what it described as violent actions by China Coast Guard personnel that injured two (2) Filipinos during Monday’s incident at Ayungin Shoal. Officials also said two (2) Philippine Coast Guard vessels evacuated the wounded sailors despite blocking maneuvers by a China Coast Guard boat, contradicting Beijing’s claim that it had authorized "humanitarian" medical transfer.

Broader issues raised

Lazaro also reiterated Manila’s position on the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea, citing Chinese actions that infringed on the maritime rights of Filipinos and threatened the safety of personnel and fishermen. She renewed the call for China to remove its remaining structures in Panatag Shoal and denounced a July 10 China Daily video that portrayed Filipinos as monkeys as deeply offensive and unacceptable. ³

Aftermath and diplomacy

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had already summoned Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan over the July 20 confrontation, while Beijing also called in Philippine Ambassador Jaime FlorCruz over the same incident. The two sides later described their exchanges as constructive, though they kept the details confidential, and the DFA said Wang Yi and Lazaro held a candid, comprehensive discussion on the broader state of Philippine-Chinese relations. ⁴

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Notes:

¹ GMA Network. PH raises Ayungin attack, China Daily monkey video with China FM Wang Yi. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/995768/ph-raises-ayungin-attack-china-daily-monkey-video-with-china-fm-wang-yi/story/

² Philippine News Agency. DFA denounces latest 'illegal, aggressive' Chinese actions in Ayungin. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1227213

³ Rappler. Philippines raises Ayungin incident, racist ‘monkey’ video in meeting with China’s Wang Yi. https://www.rappler.com/philippines/bilateral-meeting-china-wang-yi-maria-theresa-lazaro-july-2026

⁴ Inquirer. DFA: Marcos ‘firmly’ told Chinese envoy of PH protest over Navy assault. https://www.inquirer.net/481736/dfa-marcos-firmly-told-chinese-envoy-of-ph-protest-over-navy-assault