6-3-2024 (MANILA) Renowned free climber Alain Robert, often dubbed the “French Spiderman,” ascended a skyscraper in Manila on Tuesday to draw attention to the Philippines’ maritime claims in the disputed South China Sea. Scaling the 47-storey GT Tower without a harness, Robert, who has climbed over 150 structures globally, including the Burj Khalifa and the Eiffel Tower, disrupted traffic in Manila’s financial district. The French climber was arrested after safely descending.
Expressing his intent, Robert highlighted the tensions between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea, emphasizing that the sea and islands belong to the Philippines. While he didn’t elaborate on his specific motivations, Robert aimed to raise awareness of the ongoing maritime disputes.
This is not the first time Robert has climbed the GT Tower; he performed a similar stunt in 2019, resulting in his arrest and a 1,000 pesos (S$24) fine.
????♂️El ‘Spiderman’ francés escaló rascacielos de 217 metros sin arnés ni cuerdas
Alain Robert de 61 años fue arrestado por trepar el décimo edificio más alto de la ciudad de Manila, como apoyo a Filipinas en la soberanía de las aguas del mar de China Meridional.
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— • (@SedAzul) March 6, 2024
The climb occurred amidst rising tensions between the Philippines and China, with the former accusing the latter of “dangerous manoeuvres” leading to a collision between a Philippine coast guard ship and a Chinese vessel. The two nations have been engaged in a territorial dispute despite a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration that invalidated China’s claims in the South China Sea.
Witnessing the ascent, onlooker Andy Vergarra, an employee in the Manila financial district, described the climb as “very frightening” and acknowledged its impact on public perception. The stunt comes at a time when maritime disputes in the region are once again in the spotlight.
