President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. criticized China’s unilateral imposition of a four-month fishing ban in the South China Sea, including parts of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) known as the West Philippine Sea.
“It’s just an extension, again, of their claim that this is all the maritime territory of China,” President Marcos stated, highlighting the ongoing territorial dispute between the two nations. “It’s nothing new.”
The President acknowledged the practice of seasonal fishing bans, but emphasized the lack of agreement between the Philippines and China on this specific policy. He expressed particular concern over China’s newly introduced threat to detain Filipino fishermen entering the disputed waters.
“The new policy of threatening to detain our own citizens, that is different,” Marcos Jr. stressed. “That is an escalation of the situation. So, yes, this is now very worrisome.”
The Philippines has historically protested China’s expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea, which have been widely rejected by an international tribunal ruling in 2016. The recent fishing ban and detention threats have further strained relations between the two countries. (TCSP)
