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South China Sea
This Week in AsiaPolitics

South China Sea: Philippines warns against arrest of its fishermen under Beijing’s ‘trespassing’ law

  • The Philippines says it has contingency plans to counter China’s actions including filing a diplomatic protest against Beijing
  • Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo says Manila is committed to easing tensions in the South China Sea despite Beijing’s new law

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Filipino fishermen receiving supplies from volunteers near Scarborough Shoal in the disputed South China Sea. Photo: EPA-EFE
Jeoffrey Maitem
The Philippines has vowed not to allow China’s coastguard to arrest Filipino fishermen accused of trespassing in its maritime territory, warning it will lodge a diplomatic protest should Beijing proceed with its controversial new policy.
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Philippine Navy spokesman Commodore Roy Trinidad told reporters on Wednesday that China’s move – set to take effect on June 15 – was “unacceptable” and Manila had contingency plans to counter its actions.

“Not only the Philippine Navy but the entire government and nation will not allow this arrest, based on the pronouncement of our commander-in-chief that this is totally unacceptable,” Trinidad warned, referring to a directive by President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr. He did not elaborate on what the contingency plans might be.

The latest war of words between both countries, which have been locked in a months-long territorial row in the South China Sea, centres on a new regulation under which the Chinese coastguard can detain foreign nationals for up to 60 days if they are caught within the maritime territory claimed by Beijing. Such a move lacked any basis in international law, Trinidad said.

On Monday , the Philippines called on China to let international investigators examine Scarborough Shoal after it accused Beijing of damaging coral reefs in the area as part of reclamation plans.

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In 2012, China seized control of the Scarborough Shoal, a traditional fishing ground within the 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, after a two-month stand-off with the Philippine Navy.

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