Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS), Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela, on Wednesday questioned whether Senator Robin Padilla has any recommendations beyond repeated diplomatic protests to address China’s alleged bullying of Filipino troops in the disputed waters.

Tarriela made the remark after Padilla said that filing protests against China was not enough following recent incidents involving Chinese personnel and Philippine Navy sailors in the WPS.

“I think kung ang itinutulak niya lang din is accountability to those who injured our personnel, this has been carried out by the Department of Foreign Affairs,” Tarriela said, adding that accountability measures must be pursued through appropriate government channels.

Tarriela also rejected China’s claim that the Philippines was responsible for escalating tensions at Ayungin Shoal, following remarks from Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan that Beijing only deployed China Coast Guard personnel to inspect an alleged Philippine construction activity in the area.

The PCG official said China’s continued presence and its reclamation activities in the WPS, particularly at Mischief Reef, are the actions that contribute more to rising tensions in the region.

Tarriela emphasized that the BRP Sierra Madre, which has been stationed at Ayungin Shoal since 1999, is a longstanding Philippine military presence and is not the cause of the recent confrontations.

He maintained that China’s activities in the area, including the deployment of vessels and expansion of artificial features, remain the primary concerns in the disputed waters.