The Philippines has removed floating barriers in the South China Sea, claiming they were illegally erected by the Chinese coast guard in a disputed area off the Scarborough Shoal, the Manila Times newspaper website reported on Tuesday.
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Citing the coast guard, the publication “conducted a special operation to remove a floating barrier that blocked the southeastern approach to Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal)” in accordance with the instructions of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
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“The barrage has created an obstruction to navigation in clear violation of international law,” the Manila Times quoted coast guard spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela as saying.
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The day before, the Philippine Foreign Ministry promised to take measures to “protect the sovereignty” of the country.
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As previously reported, Philippine patrol boats discovered on Sunday a barrier about 300 meters long in the Scarborough Shoal area, north of which the Chinese coast guard was trying to keep Philippine fishermen out.
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The shallow water is located 198 kilometers from Subic Bay, and its territorial affiliation with the Philippines is disputed, in addition to China, by the administration of the island of Taiwan.
