China Coast Guard’s floating barriers may be removed, says Remulla
DANGER TO PASSING FISHING BOATS A 300-meter stretch of booms is found at Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), which Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources said was installed by China Coast Guard on Friday. (File photo from PCG)
MANILA, Philippines — The floating barriers installed by Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) southeast of Bajo de Masinloc may be removed if these barricades are within Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, said Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.
Remulla is referring to the information from Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
PCG had reported the sighting of the barriers on Sunday.
Some of its personnel were able to witness and record on video CCG boats placing the blockades off the coast of Zambales.
“Well, if it is within our economic zone, exclusive economic zone, then we will just declare it to be such and that it’s a violation of our right to exclusive economic zone, and we can remove the same,” Remulla said in a press briefing.
“They’re interfering with something that has been granted to us in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos),” he explained.
“If it is within our exclusive economic zone, then, that is an interference in our activities,” he pointed out.
Remulla, however, said it will still depend on the decision of the executive branch on how to legally address the incident.
He is set to meet with officials of Department of Foreign Affairs and Office of the Solicitor General to further discuss the dispute in West Philippine Sea.
The floating barriers — approximately 300 meters long — are allegedly meant to prevent Filipino fishing boats from entering the shoal, PCG said.
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