AFP seizes suspected cyanide from Chinese fishers in Ayungin

An aerial view shows the BRP Sierra Madre on the contested Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin, in the South China Sea, March 9, 2023. (INQUIRER FILES)

MANILA, Philippines — The military has seized bottles of suspected cyanide as it “escorted” Chinese boats out in Ayugin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the Western Command stopped Chinese fishing boats engaged in illegal fishing activities on Oct. 24.

“AFP personnel promptly escorted the unauthorized fishing boats out of the area and confiscated bottles containing suspected cyanide chemicals reportedly used for destructive fishing,” the AFP said in a statement on Sunday night.

“The swift and measured action prevented further harm to coral reefs and marine life,” it added. 

Aside from Chinese fishing boats, China Coast Guard (CCG) and People’s Liberation Army-Navy warships have also been spotted off Ayungin Shoal, which has become one of the flashpoints of tension between Manila and Beijing. 

Ayungin Shoal is home to the naval outpost BRP Sierra Madre, which has been aground in an elevated part of the shoal since 1999.

The June 17, 2024 rotation and resupply (Rore) mission for BRP Sierra Madre saw the most violent confrontation by Manila and Beijing which led to serious injury of a Philippine Navy personnel.

After this incident, Manila and Beijing came up with a “provisional understanding” on the resupply of BRP Sierra Madre at the 10th Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) on the South China Sea.

Since the BCM, no untoward incident has occurred in the succeeding Rores in BRP Sierra Madre.

The AFP patrol last August 20, however,  saw another episode of Chinese aggression with a boat mounted with armaments being deployed and a CCG ship conducting a water cannon exhibition.

During that time, a Chinese vessel was also seen deploying fishnets along the southeast approach of the shoal, while a Chinese unmanned aerial vehicle was also seen above the area.

Beijing claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea but a landmark international ruling effectively dismissed this in favor of Manila’s sovereign rights in the western part of its exclusive economic zone. /gsg