27-9-2023 (MANILA) The Philippine coastguard issued a call on Wednesday (Sep 27) urging the country’s fishermen to persist in operating at the disputed Scarborough Shoal and other sites in the South China Sea. Despite the imposing presence of Chinese forces, the coastguard vowed to intensify patrols in the area.
Coastguard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela stated that while Philippine vessels were unable to maintain a constant presence, they remained committed to safeguarding the rights of fishermen within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). He emphasized plans to increase patrols in Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal, and other areas frequented by Filipino fishermen.
Earlier this week, the coastguard took bold action by removing a 300-meter floating barrier installed by China that had blocked access to Scarborough Shoal. China has maintained control over the shoal for more than a decade through the presence of coastguard ships and a fleet of large fishing vessels.
China responded with measured words, advising Manila on Tuesday to avoid provocations and refrain from causing trouble. In response, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro clarified that the Philippines’ removal of the barrier was not intended as a provocation but rather a reaction to China’s initial action of blocking Filipino fishermen. Teodoro made these remarks during a senate hearing on Wednesday.
Scarborough Shoal, a rocky outcrop located in the middle of the sea, has been the subject of numerous diplomatic disputes. Both China and the Philippines assert sovereignty over the shoal, which is a vital fishing area approximately 200 kilometers off the Philippine coast and 850 kilometers from mainland China and its southern island of Hainan.
Given its proximity to major shipping lanes that facilitate around US$3.4 trillion of annual commerce, control over the shoal holds significant strategic value for Beijing, which claims sovereignty over a large portion of the South China Sea. These claims complicate fishing activities and offshore oil and gas operations for Southeast Asian nations.
Tarriela revealed that the Philippine fisheries bureau successfully anchored a vessel just 300 meters from the lagoon of Scarborough Shoal, marking the closest point Filipino fishermen have been able to access since China seized control of the area in 2012.
It remains uncertain whether China’s use of a barrier represents a departure from the status quo that has existed since 2017 when Beijing’s coastguard allowed limited Filipino operations in the area. The recent developments occur against a backdrop of strained relations, with the Philippines growing more assertive in response to the conduct of China’s coastguard within its EEZ. Furthermore, the Philippines has strengthened its military ties with the United States by expanding access to its bases.
