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Why President Marcos Called China's Ambassador to Malacañang

Article by F. Palafox

Published on July 22, 2026 8:00AM



MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. condemned the latest confrontation in Ayungin Shoal as “unacceptable” after a Philippine Navy personnel was injured in a clash with the China Coast Guard on Monday, July 20. Palace officials said the government views the incident as another dangerous escalation in the West Philippine Sea. ¹

In response, President Marcos summoned Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan to Malacañan to formally convey the Philippines' protest over what Manila considers a violation of its sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea. Palace officials said the meeting reflects the administration's preference for diplomatic engagement while addressing rising tensions following the incident. ²


Diplomatic protest


Upon meeting with Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan at Malacañan on Tuesday afternoon, he condemned the Ayungin Shoal incident and reiterated that the Philippines would continue addressing the issue through diplomatic channels, according to Palace Press Officer Claire Castro. ³


The meeting reflects Manila's longstanding approach to maritime disputes in the West Philippine Sea, formally summoning the Chinese ambassador, lodging diplomatic protests, and emphasizing restraint while firmly asserting the country's sovereign rights. The Department of Foreign Affairs has taken similar steps in previous confrontations, condemning what it has described as illegal, dangerous, and provocative actions by Chinese vessels near Ayungin Shoal. ⁶


What happened at sea


The Philippine military stressed that a Filipino sailor was struck in the head with a wooden baton during the July 20 encounter, and that the armed forces described the Chinese coast guard’s conduct as aggressive. Philippine officials and social media posts from Chinese Embassy in Manila validated the confrontation took place near BRP Sierra Madre, the grounded naval vessel that serves as Manila’s outpost in Ayungin Shoal. ⁴


Beijing, however, offered a different account, accusing Philippine personnel of provoking the incident and using rubber boats in a dangerous manner. The competing narratives have made the latest clash another flashpoint in a broader sovereignty issue that has persisted for years. ⁵


Why it matters


Manila’s decision to summon the envoy signals that the Marcos administration is trying to balance two (2) goals -- defending its position in the West Philippine Sea and avoiding a direct military escalation. The Philippines has repeatedly said it will rely on diplomacy and international law, including the 2016 arbitral ruling and its own exclusive economic zone claims, to support its position. ⁶


At the same time, the incident has revived public debate over what more the Philippines should do when confrontations recur in waters it considers its own. For now, Malacañan is keeping the response within diplomatic channels, even as the pressure grows to show stronger resolve. ⁷

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Notes:


¹ Politiko. Unacceptable! Marcos condemns China Coast Guard’s assault on PH Navy sailor in Ayungin Shoal. https://politiko.com.ph/2026/07/21/unacceptable-marcos-condemns-china-coast-guards-assault-on-ph-navy-sailor-in-ayungin-shoal


² Inquirer. West PH Sea: Marcos summons Chinese envoy to Malacañang. https://www.inquirer.net/481525/west-ph-sea-marcos-summons-chinese-envoy-to-malacanang


³ Philippine News Agency. PBBM summons Chinese envoy after Ayungin Shoal incident. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1279975



⁵ ECNS. China Coast Guard urges the Philippines to stop infringements, provocations, hype near Ren'ai Jiao. https://www.ecns.cn/cns-wire/2026-07-21/detail-ihfhqwkz8161502.shtml

⁶ Philstar. Philippines issues protest note over China's latest aggression in West Philippine Sea. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/06/26/2365755/philippines-issues-protest-note-over-chinas-latest-aggression-west-philippine-sea

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