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.
