Tensions between the Philippines and China are escalating due to several incidents in the South China Sea. The Philippine Coast Guard detained the tanker M/T Hyperline 988 off Zambales after its seven Chinese crew members failed to present required documents. Additionally, the Philippines has accused China of attempting to create an artificial island at Sabina Shoal, 75 nautical miles from Palawan island. The Philippine Coast Guard and National Security Council presented evidence of China's destructive activities in Scarborough Shoal from 2018 and 2019, including the destruction of marine environments, pillaging of giant clams, and activities involving live sea turtles. The Philippines may consider legal action if the Chinese coastguard arrests trespassers, while downplaying China's new coast guard regulations as scare tactics.
View from Manila: Philippines downplays China’s new coast guard regulations as just ‘scare tactics’ https://t.co/Nho7F3ghic
Philippines accuses China of pillaging giant clams in disputed shoal https://t.co/jDz7I3YxDC
Between 2017 and 2019, the Philippine Coast Guard dutifully compiled images that, according to them, prove how destructive Chinese activities have been in an already fragile marine environment. https://t.co/nOkQOcuJAc https://t.co/zNOBvlX1IS
Philippines ‘may be forced to sue’ if Chinese coastguard arrests trespassers https://t.co/OLSgF5BABq
The Philippine Coast Guard and the National Security Council present to media on Monday, May 20, China's supposed activities from 2018 and 2019 that led to destruction of the marine environment in Scarborough or Panatag Shoal. One of these activities include two live sea turtles… https://t.co/Gy8MuIcYfV
The Philippines has accused China of attempting to create an “artificial island” at Sabina Shoal, an unoccupied reef 75 nautical miles from Palawan island. https://t.co/3sfyxhxPXK https://t.co/3atiodaj6H
The Philippine Coast Guard is holding the tanker M/T Hyperline 988 off Zambales after its seven 🇨🇳 crew members — who initially did not respond to identification calls — failed to present required documents. The PCG detained the vessel, which was “registered under the flag of… https://t.co/VjXi9Nivtc
Global Times editorial: "China's goodwill and patience toward the Philippines are not limitless…The so-called 'civilian organization' behind this activity is far from being genuinely civilian." https://t.co/bbKIxrDqmj