MANILA: The Philippines filed a diplomatic protest and demanded an explanation from China Friday after its ship searching for oil near a disputed area of the South China Sea complained of being harassed by two Chinese patrol boats. President Benigno Aquino III said the protest was handed to the Chinese Embassy's charge d'affaires. Embassy spokesman Ethan Sun earlier reiterated his country's claim to the Spratly Islands and adjacent waters, but said Beijing was committed to maintaining peace and stability in the area and resolving disputes through peaceful negotiations. Aquino said he was sending to Beijing a Philippine government expert on the Spratlys to discuss the matter with Chinese officials. – Agence France
