PH eyes filing diplomatic protest vs. China over floating barrier

CNN Philippines

The Philippine Coast Guard has removed the barrier but warns China might come up with new ways to block fishermen from entering the area.  Tristan Nodalo reports.  Visit our website for more #NewsYouCanTrust: https://www.cnnphilippines.com/  Follow our social media pages:  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CNNPhilippines • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cnnphilippines/ • Twitter: https://twitter.com/cnnphilippines

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00:00 Following the orders of President Bombo Marcos to remove the floating barrier in the southeastern portion of Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc,

00:09 the Philippine Coast Guard immediately launched a special operation to do the task.

00:13 The PCG did not provide details as to how it was conducted,

00:17 but images show that the Philippine personnel cut the rope and removed the anchor where the floating barriers were connected.

00:23 "There are pros and cons with what we did to carry out the specific instruction of the President.

00:31 But they might still return the floating barrier once again.

00:37 They might still do shadowing and dangerous maneuver once again."

00:42 The PCG acknowledges the barrier-free Scarborough may be temporary.

00:46 "But in this particular instruction of the President, it just showed not just to the Filipino people,

00:55 but to the entire world that the Philippine government is going to affirm our sovereignty over the waters in Bajo de Masinloc.

01:03 Every time that there will be a barrier that will be installed by the Chinese government,

01:08 we're going to make sure that those barriers will be removed."

01:13 The PCG is also coordinating with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources or BFAR

01:18 to increase the number of patrols in the West Philippine Sea.

01:21 "The objective of this is to ensure the safety and well-being of our fishermen here."

01:28 Based on the latest monitoring of the PCG, 54 Filipino fishing vessels have been spotted around the shoal,

01:34 while four Chinese Coast Guard ships are guarding the area.

01:37 "Even if they don't enter the lagoon, the Filipino fishing vessels can still have this kind of catch within the immediate vicinity."

01:48 While this is a welcome news for fishermen in Masinloc,

01:51 they hope that one day they will be able to regain access to the lagoon,

01:55 which serves as shelter during rough weather while also having higher chances of getting more catch.

02:00 Beijing defended the actions of the Chinese Coast Guard,

02:03 saying they were only responding to the intrusion of their territory

02:07 and their officials acted in a professional and restrained manner.

02:10 Tristan Udalo, CNN Philippines.

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