15-7-2024 (MANILA) Despite China’s recently implemented maritime patrol regulations, Filipino fishermen continue to ply their trade in the contested waters of the South China Sea, defying potential detainment and showcasing their resilience in the face of geopolitical tensions.
The new Chinese law, which came into effect a month ago, grants the Chinese coast guard authority to detain foreign vessels and individuals suspected of “trespassing” in what Beijing claims as its territorial waters. This move has further complicated the already contentious situation in the strategic waterway, where China’s sweeping claims have been challenged by several Southeast Asian nations.
At the heart of this maritime dispute lies Scarborough Shoal, a rich fishing ground claimed by both the Philippines and China. Despite a 2016 international arbitration ruling that declared China’s blockade of the shoal illegal, Beijing has steadfastly ignored the judgement, maintaining its presence in the area.
Freddie Legaspi, a local fisherman, shared his experiences, saying, “Sometimes, when we are near Scarborough, we are shooed away by the China coast guard, so we are forced to travel further.” He added, “We’re somewhat worried now because of China’s new trespass rule. But our fish aggregating device is near Scarborough, so we need to go there.”
These fish aggregating devices, crucial for the livelihoods of Filipino fishermen, represent a significant investment. Costing upwards of $1,300, they are not easily abandoned, even in the face of potential confrontations with Chinese patrols.
The dangers faced by these fishermen were starkly illustrated in late June when Legaspi suffered second-degree burns following an engine explosion on his boat near Scarborough Shoal. The incident was further complicated by allegations that the Chinese coast guard initially obstructed a Philippine rescue mission.
Laurence Legaspi, Freddie’s wife, expressed concern over mounting medical costs and called for increased government support. “It’s better if the government has funds for accidents at sea faced by fisherfolk,” she said. “Many of us rely on fishing as our main source of living. I hope the government continues to patrol Scarborough.”
The ongoing dispute over Scarborough Shoal is part of a larger conflict in the South China Sea. China has effectively controlled the shoal’s inner lagoon since 2012, despite the 2016 arbitral ruling that favoured the Philippines’ claims.
Lucio Pitlo III, a foreign policy and security analyst, said that the Philippines’ recent submission to the United Nations for an extended continental shelf serves as another legal tool to pressure China into aligning its claims with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
“The Philippines filed this claim unilaterally. So for Vietnam and Malaysia to protest is natural,” Pitlo explained. He suggested that if these three nations address their overlapping claims within the UNCLOS framework, it could potentially isolate China’s position.
