The Philippines has accused Chinese fishermen of dumping cyanide in waters around the Spratly Islands, a fiercely contested area in the South China Sea. Manila described the alleged poisoning as an act of 'sabotage' on Monday, intended to 'kill local fish populations' and deprive Filipino troops stationed at Second Thomas Shoal of a crucial food source. China dismissed the claim as a 'farce'. The allegation follows years of tense stand-offs and occasional violent confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels in the disputed waters.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakin stated that the accusation was 'completely unbelievable and not even worth refuting'. He added that 'the Philippines has illegally harassed Chinese fishing vessels engaged in normal fishing activities.'
The Philippine National Security Council (NSC) reported that the alleged poisoning began last year around Second Thomas Shoal, which is home to a small Philippine military outpost aboard the BRP Sierra Madre, a rusting World War Two-era ship deliberately grounded in 1999 to assert Manila's claim to the territory.
NSC assistant director-general Cornelio Valencia highlighted that the use of cyanide was intended to diminish local fish populations, significantly impacting the Navy personnel who rely on these fish for sustenance. He noted the health risks to troops from contaminated water and fish, and how it could damage the coral reefs supporting the vessel's structural integrity.
The NSC intends to report the alleged poisoning to the foreign ministry as a basis for a potential diplomatic protest. Manila has ordered increased patrols in the area. The ongoing tensions in the South China Sea are fueled by overlapping territorial claims from multiple Asian nations, with the sea being a vital shipping route and area rich in fisheries and natural resources.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakin stated that the accusation was 'completely unbelievable and not even worth refuting'. He added that 'the Philippines has illegally harassed Chinese fishing vessels engaged in normal fishing activities.'
The Philippine National Security Council (NSC) reported that the alleged poisoning began last year around Second Thomas Shoal, which is home to a small Philippine military outpost aboard the BRP Sierra Madre, a rusting World War Two-era ship deliberately grounded in 1999 to assert Manila's claim to the territory.
NSC assistant director-general Cornelio Valencia highlighted that the use of cyanide was intended to diminish local fish populations, significantly impacting the Navy personnel who rely on these fish for sustenance. He noted the health risks to troops from contaminated water and fish, and how it could damage the coral reefs supporting the vessel's structural integrity.
The NSC intends to report the alleged poisoning to the foreign ministry as a basis for a potential diplomatic protest. Manila has ordered increased patrols in the area. The ongoing tensions in the South China Sea are fueled by overlapping territorial claims from multiple Asian nations, with the sea being a vital shipping route and area rich in fisheries and natural resources.
