Philippines accuses China of dumping cyanide into disputed Scarborough Shoal

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in the Philippines has accused Chinese fishing vessels of utilizing cyanide to harm the Scarborough Shoal, a contested atoll in the South China Sea, according to a report in Business Insider.

Spokesperson Nazario Briguera claimed that the Chinese fishermen intentionally used cyanide to destroy the shoal, preventing Filipino fishing boats from operating in the area. The estimated damages from the alleged use of cyanide are approximately $17,850,000.

While the Philippine Coast Guard has not found evidence supporting the accusation, Briguera stated that efforts are underway to provide proof of the alleged actions by Chinese and other foreign fishers.

The Scarborough Shoal, a site of territorial disputes among China, Taiwan, and the Philippines, remains a hotspot for tensions and has been patrolled by China, leading to confrontations with Filipino fishermen. Fishing groups in the Philippines have raised concerns about Chinese vessels entering the region and overfishing its waters, while the Chinese state-linked tabloid, The Global Times, dismissed the accusations as a baseless smear. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the Chinese embassy in Manila have not responded to requests for comment from Business Insider.

Source: Business Insider