PCG condemns China-installed floating barrier in southeast part of Bajo de Masinloc

The Philippines has accused the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) of building a "floating barrier" that forbids Filipinos from fishing in the contested area of the West Philippine Sea.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Jay Tarriela said the barrier in part of the Scarborough Shoal prevents Filipino fishing boats from entering the shoal and depriving them of their fishing and livelihood activities.

Images from the region, known as Bajo de Masinloc in the Philippines, showed Chinese boats set up and monitored several buoys and barriers arranged and protected by Chinese boats.

Tarriela said the PCG and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) personnel found the Chinese boats setting up the 300-meter-long barrier on Friday while on a "routine maritime patrol."

"Three CCG's Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) and Chinese Maritime Militia's service boat installed the floating barrier upon arrival of the BFAR vessel in the vicinity of the shoal. The Filipino fishermen reported that the CCG vessels usually install floating barriers whenever they monitor many Filipino fishermen in the area," Tarriela said.

He added that the BFAR vessel observed more than 50 FFBs engaged in fishing activities in the area during the routine maritime patrol.

Recognizing the importance of supporting the artisanal or subsistence fishing of these fishermen, Tariella said the BFAR provided them with various grocery items and fuel subsidies to sustain their operations.

However, a total of four CCG vessels, namely CCG-3065, CCG-3066, CCG-3105, and CCG-3301, initiated a series of 15 radio challenges in an attempt to drive away the BFAR vessel and FFBs.

"The CCG crew alleged that the presence of the BFAR vessel and Filipino fishermen violated international law and the domestic laws of the People's Republic of China (PRC)," Tariella said.

"The BFAR vessel responded to each and every radio calls and emphasized that they were carrying out a routine patrol within the territorial sea of BDM," he added.

Tariella further mentioned that the CCG vessels maintained a safe distance and moved away upon realizing the presence of media personnel onboard the BFAR vessel.

"The PCG will continue to work closely with all concerned government agencies to address these challenges, uphold our maritime rights and protect our maritime domains," Tarriela said.

However, the Chinese embassy in Manila has yet to comment on the matter.

China claims 90 percent of the South China Sea, which overlaps with the exclusive economic zones of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia.

Beijing annexed the Scarborough Shoal in 2012, forcing Filipino fishermen to travel farther in search of lesser catches.

During the period when bilateral ties were significantly improving under then-President Rodrigo Duterte, Beijing allowed Filipino fishermen to return to the uninhabited shoal.

However, since Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his successor, gained government last year, tensions have increased once more.