South China Sea: Manila could file case against Beijing over possible cyanide use by Chinese boats

President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr says the legal action will proceed if Chinese boats were proven to ‘intentionally destroy’ the Scarborough Shoal

Beijing dismisses Manila’s claim as ‘sheer fabrication’, saying it is committed to the protection of the ecological environment and fishing resources

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A Chinese coast guard ship sailing past a Philippine fishing boat on February 15 near the China-controlled Scarborough Shoal in the disputed South China Sea. Photo: AFP

Published: 2:38pm, 22 Feb 2024

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr has pledged to take legal action against Beijing once it is proven that Chinese boats had used cyanide to “intentionally destroy” the fish-rich Scarborough Shoal in the disputed South China Sea.

Citing reports from Filipino fishermen, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) last week said Chinese and Vietnamese trawlers have been using the toxic substance in the shoal, locally known as Bajo de Masinloc.

China has controlled the atoll since 2012 and deployed a flotilla of fishing boats to the area ever since.

“If we feel that there is enough ground to do so, we will [pursue charges],” Marcos said, adding that cyanide use in Philippine waters was not uncommon.

“I do know that there are cases of cyanide fishing, even before, here in the Philippines. But I think the reason that it has been more alarming is that it has become more prevalent,” he said.

Jonathan Malaya, a spokesman of the National Security Council, said BFAR would work on gathering more evidence to back its claim, which China dismissed as “sheer fabrication”.