The Philippines has accused Chinese fishermen of dumping cyanide in the waters surrounding the Spratly Islands to destroy local fish populations.
Manila described the alleged poisoning as an act of 'sabotage' on Monday. Officials said the move aims to deprive Philippine troops stationed at Second Thomas Shoal of a vital food source.
China dismissed the accusation as a 'farce.' Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakin stated the claim was 'completely unbelievable and not even worth refuting.'
Guo added that the Philippines has 'illegally harassed Chinese fishing vessels engaged in normal fishing activities.'
Environmental and security risks
The Philippine National Security Council (NSC) reported that the poisoning began around Second Thomas Shoal last year. The area hosts a small military outpost aboard the BRP Sierra Madre, a grounded World War II-era ship used to assert Manila's claim.
NSC assistant director-general Cornelio Valencia said the cyanide use targets local fish populations to deprive Navy personnel of food. He also noted the chemical poses health risks to troops by contaminating water and fish.
Valencia warned that the toxins could damage the coral reefs that support the vessel's structural foundations. He added that Manila raised the issue with Beijing recently but received no formal response.
Philippine Navy spokesman Rear Adm Roy Vincent Trinidad said troops seized 10 bottles of cyanide from boats allegedly launched from Chinese fishing vessels between February and October last year.
Trinidad reported that military personnel spotted another Chinese crew poisoning the water near the shoal last month. Subsequent water samples tested positive for cyanide.
Cyanide fishing is illegal under Philippine law and banned across Southeast Asia due to its destructive impact on marine ecosystems. The practice is typically used to stun fish for the live reef trade.
The South China Sea remains a site of overlapping territorial claims between China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Brunei. Tensions have escalated following a June 2024 clash where Chinese coastguard personnel used knives and sticks to board Philippine boats.
