The Senate of the Philippines (Photo: Manila Buletin)

The meeting was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Defense, the Minister of Natural Resources, the Maritime Police Command of the Philippine National Police, and senators.

Senator Francis Tolentino expressed concerns about China's new law which allows its coast guard to use weapons on foreign ships in the so-called waters of China's jurisdiction.

The law also allows coast guards to destroy foreign-built structures on the reefs whose sovereignty Beijing has claimed in most of the East Sea area and inspect foreign ships entering  the sea area.

The Philippines Senate Committee of Foreign Relations also discussed a Senate Resolution which urged the executive agencies to impose legal and diplomatic pressure on the Chinese government, urging for an end of activities deteriorating the ecosystem of the West Philippines Sea and pay compensation for the damage it has caused.