This photo taken on September 22, 2023 shows a wooden boat, with Philippine fisherman Arnel Satam on board, drawfed by a Chinese coast guard vessel after he was intercepted for attempting to enter Scarborough Shoal in disputed waters of the South China Sea. The fishermen complained that China's actions at Scarborough Shoal were robbing them of a key source of income and a place to shelter safely during a storm.
Philippines officials claim they have knocked down a Chinese-built floating barrier blocking Filipino fishing vessels from accessing a disputed region in the South China Sea. According to the Philippine Coast Guard, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. explicitly ordered such action.
"The barrier posed a hazard to navigation, a clear violation of international law. It also hinders the conduct of fishing and livelihood activities of Filipino fisherfolk," the Philippines coast guard stated.
The 'Floating Barrier'
Manila claims China's construction of a 300-meter-long (1,000-foot-long) artificial barrier at the Scarborough Shoal is an infringement on Philippine fishing rights. This shoal was called "an integral part of the Philippine national territory."
The shoal was taken by China in 2012, and the country now claims more than 90% of the South China Sea.
According to Coast Guard Commodore Jay Tarriela, a patrol found the barrier on Friday, September 22. He said the barrier was set up when the Philippine ship arrived. Reportedly, it was constructed by three Chinese coast guard vessels and a Chinese maritime militia service boat.
The Chinese boats issued 15 radio challenges, during which they accused the Philippine ship and fishermen of breaking international and Chinese law. When they realized that there were journalists on board, the Chinese boats left.
The Disputed South China Sea
According to BBC, Japan has called for peace in order to highlight the importance of the South China Sea to the stability of the region.
Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said during a routine news briefing, "Our country strongly opposes any conduct that heightens tension in the South China Sea."
There is speculation that large oil and gas deposits exist in the South China Sea, which is also a productive fishing area. The region supports the activities of more than half of the world's fishing boats.
China has enraged the Philippines and Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Brunei with its territorial claims, which cover both land and the oceans immediately around it. China has built islands and conducted naval patrols to support its vast claims.
Even while the United States claims it stays out of territorial disputes, it has dispatched warships and aircraft to contested islands in the name of "freedom of navigation" operations.
After ties improved under previous President Rodrigo Duterte, China permitted Filipinos to fish in the disputed area. But since Marcos Jr. took office as president last year, tensions have risen.
In early 2023, President Marcos Jr. allowed American forces greater access to Philippine military outposts after mending fences with the US on the security front.
