PCG cuts through China Sea barrier

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has started removing the floating barrier that Chinese maritime authorities installed to block access to the disputed Panatag or Scarborough Shoal.

In a post on X last night, 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.

Videos shared by Tarriela showed a PCG diver swimming toward one of the buoys and cutting the rope with a knife. Other Coast Guard personnel lifted what appeared to be an anchor.

Tarriela maintained the barrier posed a hazard to navigation, which he described as “a clear violation of international law.”

The buoys also prevented Filipinos from catching fish in the area claimed by both the Philippines and China, he added.

“They hinder the livelihood of Filipino fisherfolk in the shoal, violate international law and infringe on the Philippines’ sovereignty over Bajo de Masinloc, hence the need to remove them which is aligned with
international law and Philippine sovereignty over the shoal,” he said.

Earlier Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin said the Philippines may remove the floating barrier installed by the China Coast Guard (CCG) in Bajo de Masinloc in the exercise of its rights over its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

“It’s a violation of our rights to our EEZ. We can remove this,” Remulla said at a press briefing, referring to the floating barrier laid down by the Chinese to keep Filipino fishermen from the shoal lagoon also called