MANILA, Philippines: The China Coast Guard (CCG) has once again installed a floating barrier in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea, which is part of the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). This recent development has raised concerns about the impact on the Philippines’ sovereignty and the livelihoods of Filipino fisherfolk in the area.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman for the West Philippine Sea, reported that apart from the newly installed floating barrier, two CCG vessels (3063 and 3064) were positioned at the entrance to the lagoon. The purpose of these ships is to monitor the floating barriers. In addition, speedboats from the CCG vessels have been deployed to ensure the floating barriers are well guarded.
According to Tarriela, the floating barriers were supposedly installed on February 15. Interestingly, there were no sightings of the barriers during the maritime patrol operations conducted by BRP Teresa Magbanua from February 1 to 9. This suggests that the barriers may have been installed around the same time the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) was scheduled to conduct its maritime patrol in the area.
This is not the first time a floating barrier has been discovered in Scarborough Shoal. In September 22 last year, the PCG and BFAR also found a floating barrier during a routine maritime patrol. The PCG claimed to have executed a special operation to remove the barrier, citing it as a hazard to navigation and a violation of international law. The obstruction also hindered the fishing and livelihood activities of Filipino fisherfolk in Bajo de Masinloc, which is considered part of the Philippine national territory.
The PCG emphasized that the 2016 Arbitral Award affirms Bajo de Masinloc as the traditional fishing ground of Filipino fishermen. Therefore, any obstruction that hinders the livelihoods of Filipino fisherfolk in the shoal violates international law and infringes on the Philippines’ sovereignty.
However, there have been calls for an investigation into the actions of the PCG. Herman Tiu Laurel, president of the Manila-based think tank Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute (ACPSSI), has questioned the authenticity of the PCG’s claim that it successfully removed the floating barrier. Laurel echoed the earlier statement made by the CCG, labeling Commodore Jay Tarriela’s claim as “fictitious” and “fabricated.”
A spokesperson from the CCG stated that the nets were temporarily deployed to prevent BFAR vessels from “illegally” entering Huangyan Island, China’s name for Bajo de Masinloc. Laurel stated that the floating barrier was voluntarily removed on September 23, 2023. The PCG later admitted that they were only able to cut and retrieve the anchor of the barrier, not remove the entire structure. The anchor will serve as evidence should the Philippine government decide to file charges against China for its activities in the West Philippine Sea.
The installation of the floating barrier by the China Coast Guard in Scarborough Shoal raises concerns about the impact on the Philippines’ sovereignty and the livelihoods of Filipino fisherfolk. The ongoing tensions in the West Philippine Sea continue to be a matter of international interest, and further actions and investigations are awaited to address these issues.
Source: The Manila Times
