Probe pushed into PCG ‘removal’ of barrier in Scarborough Shoal

A Manila-based think tank called for an investigation into the “moro-moro” supposedly instigated by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) when it claimed that it “successfully removed” the floating barrier installed by their Chinese counterparts at the entrance of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal).

In a media briefing on Saturday in Quezon City, Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute (ACPSSI) president Herman Tiu Laurel echoed a declaration by the CCG that the claim by Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesman on the West Philippine Sea, was “fictitious,” and “fabricated.”

Photo from PCG

A CCG spokesman had said in a statement that the nets were deployed temporarily to just prevent a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel from “illegally” entering the Huangyan Island, China's name for Bajo de Masinloc, without authorization from the Chinese government and supposedly “stirred up trouble in a provocative manner.”

The spokesman said the CCG “took necessary measures in accordance with the law to effectively restrict the Philippine vessel, including calling and warning, route restrictions and temporarily setting blocking nets on the lagoon.

The so-called floating barrier was voluntarily removed on September 23.

The CCG presented images showing the BFAR vessel being blocked by CCG vessels, the blocking nets set by the CCG and the recovery of the nets later on.

It further reiterated that Beijing has indisputable sovereignty over Huangyan Island and its surrounding waters and has sovereign rights and jurisdiction over relevant water.

The CCG further said that it will continue to hold law enforcement activities in waters under Chinese jurisdiction in accordance with the law and will resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and maritime rights.

On Saturday, the PCG admitted that it was not able to remove the entire floating barrier installed by the CCG but it was only its anchor that it was able to cut and retrieve.

Tarriela said they will use the anchor as evidence should the Philippine government decide to file charges against China for its activities in the West Philippine Sea.