The Philippines has accused China’s coastguard of installing a ” floating barrier ” in a disputed section of the South China Sea. This installation, according to the Philippines, hinders Filipino fishing activities within their Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
The coastguard, in collaboration with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, strongly condemns China’s placement of this floating barrier at part of the Scarborough Shoal, known as Bajo de Masinloc in the Philippines. Spokesperson Jay Tarriela reported the discovery of this barrier, which measures approximately 300 meters (985 feet) in length, during a routine maritime patrol on Friday.
Photographs reveal several buoys forming a line, guarded by Chinese vessels in the area. When Philippine fishing boats attempted to operate there, four Chinese coastguard ships initiated 15 radio challenges in an effort to compel them to leave, Tarriela stated.
The Philippine coastguard remains committed to collaborating with various government agencies to address these challenges. Simultaneously, they aim to safeguard their maritime rights and protect their maritime domains.
Furthermore, Scarborough Shoal falls within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile (370km) EEZ, as defined by international maritime law. This definition has been affirmed by a ruling from The Hague’s International Court of Arbitration. However, Beijing asserts its territorial claim over the area, referring to it as Huangyan Island. Remarkably, as of now, there has been no response from China‘s embassy in Manila regarding these allegations.
In recent weeks, Manila and Beijing have engaged in a series of accusations involving “illegal” incursions, the use of water cannons, and risky boat maneuvers within the disputed region.
