Philippines Accuses China Of Installing A Floating Barrier In The Disputed South China Sea

On Sunday, the Philippines accused the Chinese Coast Guard of installing a floating barrier within a disputed zone in the South China Sea, stating that it prevented the Filipinos from entering and fishing in that area.

 The Coast Guard of Manila and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources have condemned the Chinese installation of the barrier in the Scarborough Shoal, said Commodore Jay Tarriela, a spokesperson associated with the Coast Guard, published on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The barrier preventing the fishermen from the shoal, reportedly deprived them of fishing and other livelihood activities.

 Tarriela added that the PCG will continue working closely with concerned government agencies to address the challenges, uphold maritime rights, and safeguard maritime domains.

 China’s embassy in Manila didn’t reply to requests for comments immediately.

 China claims that 90% of the South China Sea overlaps with the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) of Vietnam, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Beijing managed to seize the Scarborough Shoal in 2012 and compelled the fishermen from the Philippines to travel even further for relatively smaller catches.

 Beijing permitted Filipino fishermen to visit the uninhabited shoal when the bilateral relations were improving, markedly under Rodrigo Duterte, the then President. But tensions have mounted since Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his successor, took office in 2022.

 The PCG and personnel of the fisheries bureau discovered the floating barrier, at 300 m long, on Friday during a routine patrol close to the shoal, locally popular as Bajo de Masinloc, Tarriela explained.

 He said three inflatable, rigid-hull boats belonging to China’s coast guard and a China-based maritime militia service boat installed this barrier when the vessel belonging to the Philippines reached.

 Filipino fishermen state that China installs such barriers as they monitor many fishermen in that zone, per Tarriela.

 Chinese boats also issued 15 radio challenges. Besides, they accused the Philippine vessel and the fishermen of violating international laws as well as China’s laws before shifting to witnessing media personnel on the Filipino vessel, he added.

References: reuters, indianexpress

Philippines Accuses China Of Installing A Floating Barrier In The Disputed South China Sea appeared first on Marine Insight – The Maritime Industry Guide

Source: Maritime Shipping News