Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 25) — Putting up a floating barrier in a disputed area in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) is “deeply concerning,” a European Union official said Monday, fearing that this may endanger Filipino fishermen.
“Deeply concerning news,” EU Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Veron said, reacting to a social media post of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela which showed China’s installation of a floating barrier in the southeast of Scarborough Shoal.
“The installation of the floating barrier is dangerous, detrimental to the livelihoods of [Filipino] fishermen, and disregards the peace-driven objectives of UNCLOS,” Veron added.
The PCG, together with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and some lawmakers denounced the latest action of China.
READ: China installs floating barrier in Scarborough Shoal — PCG
In a statement on Sunday, the PCG said the floating barrier spans 300 meters, preventing local fishing boats from entering the area.
Authorities, quoting fishermen, said that Chinese vessels “usually install floating barriers whenever they monitor a large number of Filipino fishermen in the area.”
Filipino senators, meanwhile, said China has violated international law, with the recent action showing it has no respect for the Philippine sovereignty.
READ: Lawmakers denounce China’s floating barrier in Scarborough Shoal
