Philippines Levels Accusations Against Chinese Fishing Crews in South China Sea

Manila has leveled allegations against Chinese fishing crews, claiming they discharged cyanide into the waters surrounding the Spratly Islands. The accusation, framed as an act of “sabotage,” was made on Monday, with the Philippine National Security Council (NSC) stating the activity aimed to “eliminate local fish populations” and remove a critical food supply from Filipino troops stationed at Second Thomas Shoal.

China dismissed the claim as a “farce,” countering that the Philippines had illegally harassed its fishing vessels. The dispute over cyanide use comes amid prolonged standoffs and occasional violent clashes between Philippine and Chinese vessels in the contested region.

Alleged Cyanide Use and Military Impact

The NSC reported that cyanide poisoning began last year near Second Thomas Shoal, a reef in the Spratly archipelago where a small Philippine military outpost is located. The BRP Sierra Madre, a World War Two-era ship deliberately grounded in 1999, serves as the base for the outpost.

“The use of cyanide was intended to kill local fish populations, depriving Navy personnel of a vital food source,” said NSC assistant director-general Cornelio Valencia. He also warned that the practice contaminates water and fish, threatening troop health and damaging the coral reefs that support the ship’s structural foundations.

Valencia noted that Manila had raised the issue with Beijing in a recent meeting but received no formal reply. The NSC plans to submit a report to the foreign ministry, which could lead to a diplomatic protest. Meanwhile, the navy and coastguard have been ordered to boost patrols in the area.

Historical Context and Regional Significance

Cyanide fishing, a method historically used in Southeast Asia to stun or kill fish, is illegal under Philippine law and broadly banned across the region due to its harm to marine ecosystems. The South China Sea, a focal point of territorial disputes involving China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Brunei, is critical for global trade and fisheries. Over half of the world’s fishing vessels operate in the area, which is also rich in natural resources and potential energy reserves.

China asserts near-total control over the sea, despite a 2016 international tribunal ruling that invalidated its expansive claims. The Philippines bases its claim on proximity to the Spratly Islands, while both nations also dispute Scarborough Shoal, known as Huangyan Island in China, located 100 miles from the Philippines and 500 miles from China.

Escalating Tensions and Recent Developments

Tensions between Manila and Beijing have intensified in recent years. In June 2024, a violent clash occurred when Chinese coastguard members boarded Philippine navy boats near Second Thomas Shoal, using knives and sticks to injure several sailors. China has also repeatedly disrupted Philippine resupply missions to the Sierra Madre.

Recently, the Philippines conducted joint maritime exercises with the United States and Australia in disputed waters, preceding the annual Balikatan war games. Japan will join as a full participant this year, a move criticized by Beijing for increasing regional tensions. In March, the Philippines signed a military agreement with France, pledging to send 15 to 20 troops to support the Balikatan exercises on 20 April.

Philippine Navy spokesman Rear Adm Roy Vincent Trinidad confirmed that military personnel intercepted 10 cyanide bottles from sampan boats in February, July, and October last year. Additional evidence emerged when a Chinese sampan crew was observed poisoning waters near the shoal last month, with tests verifying the presence of cyanide.