South China Sea: Philippine fishermen warn Beijing of ‘10 times’ retaliation over its detainment order

The Chinese coastguard earlier said it would detain any foreign nationals for trespassing in the disputed South China Sea

Philippine officials are gathering evidence over China’s alleged destruction of coral reefs around the Scarborough Shoal

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A Filipino fisherman waves a Philippine flag aboard a wooden boat as they sail towards Scarborough Shoal in the disputed South China Sea. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 5:30pm, 21 May 2024Updated: 5:46pm, 21 May 2024

As Manila prepares to take legal action against Beijing over its alleged environmental destruction in the South China Sea, Filipino fishermen have vowed to retaliate against an order by China to detain any foreign nationals for trespassing in the waters by kidnapping Chinese nationals in the Philippines.

While analysts said the Philippine government’s legal action could be successful, they warned Beijing would likely respond with countermeasures against Manila and its people.

“Expect China to retaliate with restrictive trade measures, harassment of Filipino workers in China and more serious bullying in the disputed areas,” Edmund Tayao, a political analyst and professor at the San Beda Graduate School of Law in Manila, told This Week in Asia.

On Monday, the Philippines accused Beijing of destroying the marine environment around the Scarborough Shoal, a contested maritime feature located in the West Philippine Sea – Manila’s name for part of the disputed South China Sea within its exclusive economic zone.

Jonathan Malaya, assistant director general of the National Security Council, told reporters that Philippine authorities were collecting evidence to file a case against China for destroying coral reefs around the shoal and its other illegal actions, including Chinese fishermen harvesting endangered giant clams.

Tayao said the outcome of such a case would likely favour Manila as indicated by legal precedents involving both countries over the South China Sea row.