Philippines ignores China's warning, says 'within rights' to remove barrier at disputed reef

Manila asserted its full rights to remove any obstructions at the contested Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea on Tuesday, reported AFP. National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano declared, "The Philippines is well within its rights to eliminate any barrier at Bajo de Masinloc, as it encroaches upon our maritime rights," using the Philippines' indigenous name for the reef.
Earlier, Beijing cautioned Manila against "provoking unrest" when the Philippine Coast Guard disclosed that it had dismantled a floating blockade at the disputed reef, believed to have been placed by China to obstruct Filipino access to their traditional fishing grounds.
China asserts sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea, while multiple other nations, including the Philippines, assert overlapping territorial claims within the region.
Philippine National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano pledged to undertake "all necessary measures" to remove barriers established by the Chinese coast guard at the reef, referred to as Scarborough Shoal by Manila, in the contested waters.

During a routine government resupply mission for Filipino fishermen near the Chinese-controlled reef, a 300-meter (328-yard) floating barrier was discovered blocking the entrance to the shoal last week.
It remains unclear from the Philippine statement whether the entire obstruction has been completely removed.
The Philippine Coast Guard shared a video showing an individual in snorkeling gear using a knife to sever a rope connected to white buoys, and another video displayed an anchor being hoisted from the water onto a wooden outrigger boat.

The coast guard announced the successful elimination of the barrier, stating it was done "in accordance with presidential instructions."
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