Marcos Jr.: Firmly defend Philippine territory and fishermen’s rights against China

(Manila) As friction between China and the Philippines escalates in the South China Sea, Philippine President Marcos Jr. stated that he is not looking for trouble, but will resolutely defend Philippine territory and the rights of fishermen. The Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Bureau discovered last Friday (September 22) that a Chinese coast guard ship had set up a floating barrier about 300 meters long near Scarborough Shoal (Scarborough Shoal (called Huangyan Island in China)) to prevent Philippine fishing boats entered shallow waters where there were more fish. Marcos later ordered the removal of the floating barriers; the Philippine Coast Guard completed the removal work this week. In response to the latest dispute between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea, Marcos Jr. emphasized in a speech on Friday (29th) that the Philippines will safeguard its right to fish in the exclusive economic zone. “What we have to do is ...