Floating barriers at Bajo de Masinloc removed

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 26, 2023): Floating barriers at Bajo de Masinloc removed

MANILA – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has removed the floating barriers installed by the China Coast Guard in the southeast entrance of Scarborough Shoal also known as Bajo de Masinloc.

In a statement Tuesday, the PCG said the move complies with the instruction of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea chair Secretary Eduardo Año.

HAZARD. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) removes the floating barriers at Bajo de Masinloc. The PCG said the move is in compliance with the instruction of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea chair Secretary Eduardo Año. (Photo courtesy of PCG)

PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said the barrier posed a hazard to navigation, a clear violation of international law.

"It also hinders the conduct of fishing and livelihood activities of Filipino fisherfolk in BDM (Bajo de Masinloc), which is an integral part of the Philippine national territory," he added.

The installation of floating barriers at Scarborough Shoal is an infringement of Philippine sovereignty, the Department of Foreign Affairs earlier said.

Bajo de Masinloc is an integral part of the Philippines over which it has sovereignty and territorial jurisdiction, according to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The 2016 Arbitral Award has affirmed that Bajo de Masinloc is a traditional fishing ground of Filipino fishermen.

"Thus, any obstruction hindering the livelihoods of Filipino fisherfolk in the shoal violates the international law. It also infringes on the Philippines' sovereignty over BDM," Tarriela said.

"The decisive action of the PCG to remove the barrier aligns with international law and the Philippines’ sovereignty over the shoal."

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1210541