The barrier blocking fishermen from the shoal was depriving them of their fishing and livelihood actions”, he stated.

“The (Philippine Coast Guard) will continue to work closely with all concerned government agencies to address these challenges, uphold our maritime rights and protect our maritime domains,” Tarriela stated.

The Chinese embassy in Manila didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark.

China claims 90% of the South China Sea, overlapping with the unique financial zones of Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and the Philippines. Beijing seized the Scarborough Shoal in 2012 and compelled fishermen from the Philippines to journey additional for smaller catches.

Beijing allowed Filipino fishermen to return to the uninhabited shoal when bilateral relations have been enhancing markedly below then-President Rodrigo Duterte. But stress has mounted once more since his successor, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, took workplace final yr.

Philippine coast guard and fisheries bureau personnel found the floating barrier, estimated at 300 m (1,000 toes) lengthy, on a routine patrol on Friday close to the shoal, domestically often known as Bajo de Masinloc, Tarriela stated.

Three Chinese coast guard rigid-hull inflatable boats and a Chinese maritime militia service boat put in the barrier when the Philippine vessel arrived, he stated.

Filipino fishermen say China usually installs such boundaries once they monitor a lot of fishermen within the space, Tarriela stated.

The Chinese boats issued 15 radio challenges and accused the Philippine ship and fishermen of violating worldwide and China’s legal guidelines, earlier than transferring away “upon realizing the presence of media personnel onboard the (Filipino) vessel”, he stated.