China: Barriers necessary to block Philippine vessel

MANILA, Philippines — China has defended its installation of floating barrier in Panatag Shoal, saying it was a “professional, restrained” action “necessary” to block and drive away a Philippine vessel.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin claimed on Monday that a vessel of the Philippines’ Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources intruded into the adjacent waters of Huangyan Dao on Sept. 22 and attempted to enter its lagoon. Huangyan Dao is the Chinese name assigned by Beijing to Panatag Shoal, which is also called Bajo de Masinloc.

The 2016 Arbitral Award affirmed Panatag Shoal as a traditional fishing ground of Filipino fisherfolk.

“China Coast Guard did what was necessary to block and drive away the Philippine vessel. The steps it took were professional and restrained,” Wang said. He also claimed that the shoal has always been China’s territory.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) removed on Monday the floating barrier that Chinese maritime authorities installed to block access to Panatag Shoal.

PCG spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela said the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea ordered the PCG “to execute a special operation to remove the floating barrier that obstructed the southeast entrance of Bajo de Masinloc.”

Tarriela said President Marcos directed task force chairman National Security Adviser Eduardo Año to relay the order to the PCG.

Bajo de Masinloc, which is 124 nautical miles from Zambales and nearly 500 nautical miles from the nearest coast of China, is part of Masinloc municipality in Zambales. Panatag Shoal used to be a target range of US and Philippine naval forces.

The Chinese have not left the shoal since April 2012 after a standoff with the Philippine Navy which arrested Chinese