The Philippine government has vehemently criticized the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) for their recent actions against Filipino fishermen near the contested Scarborough Shoal, escalating tensions in the already volatile South China Sea region.
National Security Council assistant director general Jonathan Malaya expressed alarm and condemnation in a television interview on Monday, following reports of harassment against Filipino fisherfolk by the CCG. "We were hoping that in 2024 the situation will be more peaceful, but in this latest incident wherein there was harassment of our fishermen in the hands of the CCG, we are alarmed," Malaya stated.
This incident, which occurred earlier this month, involves Filipino fishermen being ordered by the CCG to throw back shells they had collected near the Scarborough Shoal, a strategic and disputed island feature known as Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal in the Philippines and Huangyan Island in China. The shoal has been a longstanding point of contention between Manila and Beijing.
Regarding the circulating videos depicting the harassment of Filipino fishermen by the China Coast Guard in BDM, the PCG have successfully identified the origin of the videos and have taken steps to gather sworn statements from the individuals involved.
Mr. Jack Tabat from… — Jay Tarriela (@jaytaryela) January 21, 2024
A video circulating on social media allegedly shows the "harassment of Filipino fishermen" by the CCG. Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Jay Tarriela confirmed that the video was taken from the Filipino fishing boat, the FB Legendary Jo, on January 12. Jack Tabat, a Zambales resident and crew member of the FB Legendary Jo, reported that the fishermen "were instructed to return the shells they had gathered to the sea and were subsequently driven away" by CCG personnel.
According to Tarriela, one of the CCG personnel even went as far as physically preventing the Filipino fishing boat from leaving unless the fishermen complied with their demands to discard the collected sea shells. The FB Legendary Jo is yet to return to shore, and the PCG plans to gather more information from the other crew members upon their arrival.
This incident closely follows a diplomatic spat between Beijing and Manila, sparked by Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s congratulatory message to Taiwanese president-elect Lai Ching-te. The exchange resulted in sharp words from both sides, with Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro calling out a Chinese ministry spokesperson for her remarks against President Marcos Jr.
The Scarborough Shoal has been a flashpoint in the South China Sea, with a significant standoff in 2012 between Chinese and Philippine vessels. Despite the standoff being resolved, the area remains a source of tension, with the latest incident adding to a history of confrontations and conflicting territorial claims.
These developments underscore the complex and strained relations between the Philippines and China over maritime boundaries and rights in the South China Sea. The Philippines' strong condemnation of the CCG's actions reflects Manila's growing concerns over Beijing's maritime assertiveness and the ongoing challenges in upholding the rights and safety of Filipino fishermen in contested waters.
