Phl to take appropriate measures vs. China’s installation of floating barrier in Scarborough Shoal

The Philippines, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, has promised to "take all necessary measures" to protect its sovereignty as well as its people's livelihood over Scarborough Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc.

"We will take all appropriate measures to protect our country's sovereignty and the livelihood of our fisherfolk," the DFA said in a statement on Monday.

Over the weekend, the Philippine Coast Guard reported the presence of the floating barrier in the southeastern portion of Bajo de Masinloc, allegedly installed by the China Coast Guard.

According to PCG, the floating barrier has been preventing Filipino fishermen from entering the shoal for their livelihood activities.

Located at 120 nautical miles from Zambales, Bajo de Masinloc is considered a traditional fishing ground for Filipinos in the West Philippine Sea.

Citing the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the DFA insisted on its sovereignty on Bajo de Masinloc, which is part of the country's 200 nautical miles exclusive economic zone.

"Bajo de Masinloc is an integral part of the Philippines over which we have sovereignty and territorial jurisdiction according to UNCLOS," the DFA said.

The agency also said that the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea, which invalidated Beijing's historic nine-dash line claim in the entire South China Sea, stated that the Bajo de Masinloc is for Filipinos to exploit.

"The 2016 Arbitral Award affirms it as a traditional fishing ground of Filipino fisherfolk," the DFA pointed out.

"China's reported installation of barriers and its negative impact on the livelihood of Filipino fisherfolk or any other activity that infringes upon the Philippines' sovereignty and jurisdiction in Bajo de Masinloc are violations of international law, particularly UNCLOS and the Arbitral Award," it added.

Senators have already expressed their dismay over the incident, stressing that the floating barriers installed by China must be severed.