MANILA — Filipino protesters said Thursday they plan to sail to a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, amid efforts by rival claimants China and the Philippines to resolve a tense maritime stand-off.
Led by Nicanor Faeldon, an outspoken former captain in the Philippines Marines, the group is to launch for Scarborough Shoal on Friday, his spokesman Kit Guerrero said. “They want to protest against the aggression being committed by China against our country,” Guerrero said.
He said at least two fishing vessels carrying Faeldon’s group were expected to arrive at the shoal later Friday. “They are intending to stay there at least three days and fish, if they are not prevented from doing so,” Guerrero said, adding that planting a Philippine flag on the rock was also an option.
The group of at least six could be stopped or even detained by Chinese naval patrols, he added.
Both countries have had ships posted around the shoal since April 10, after Chinese vessels prevented a Philippine ship from arresting Chinese fishermen.
China and the Philippines later imposed separate fishing bans around the disputed area that came into effect Wednesday. The bans are seen by some observers in Manila as a face-saving way for both claimants to back away from the row, amid Filipino concerns of economic fallout from the stand-off.
China has recently impounded key Philippine fruit exports and warned its citizens about the safety of travel to the Philippines. One Chinese carrier has cut the number of flights to Manila. — AFP