The Philippines' foreign ministry has summoned China's ambassador after Beijing imposed sanctions on a former Filipino senator who has been critical of China’s actions in the disputed South China Sea.

The Philippines has summoned China's ambassador to protest Beijing's imposition of sanctions against former Sen. Francis Tolentino, the Department of Foreign Affairs announced.

Former senator Francis Tolentino on Tuesday said he supports the DFA decision to summon the Chinese envoy to explain the sanctions imposed on him by the Chinese government.