South China Sea: Philippines aims to ‘take control again’ of shoal from China amid rising tensions
- Manila plans to deploy closer to the China-controlled Scarborough Shoal after removing a floating barrier placed by Beijing
- China calls the shoal its ‘inherent territory’ and says it will take steps to ‘drive away Philippine vessels’
The coastguard said on Tuesday it would team up with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and Armed Forces of the Philippines for the mission and step up patrols of Scarborough Shoal, which China has controlled since 2012 and deployed a flotilla of fishing boats to the area ever since.
Coastguard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela expressed optimism about retaking the shoal, locally known as Bajo de Masinloc, that would give access to the country’s fisherfolk inside the lagoon.
“Yes, [it is possible]. As I have said, since the new administration took office, we have already strategised how can we be able to take control once again of Bajo de Masinloc, especially the lagoon,” Tarriela said.
Tarriela added the Philippines’ ability to anchor 300m close to the strategic outcrop for the first time since China started maintaining a constant presence of coastguard vessels showed the government’s long-time security blueprint was yielding results and the momentum would be maintained.
