Manila (dpa) – The Philippine government was checking reports Wednesday that China had seized an atoll near the country’s western coast and used ships to keep local fishermen away.
According to the report by the Philippine Star newspaper, grey and white Chinese vessels have been stationed at Jackson Atoll, locally called Quirino Atoll, since last month.
Filipinos stage a demonstration to protest against a report that China deployed a surface-to-air missile system in the disputed South China Sea, in front of the Chinese consular office in Makati city, south of Manila, Philippines, 19 February 2016. The Philippine government was checking reports Wednesday that China had seized an atoll near the country·s western coast and used ships to keep local fishermen away.
The ships drove boats away from what has been a regular fishing ground for local fishermen, the report said.
“We are verifying this,” said Charles Jose, spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs.
The atoll is located between the Philippine-occupied Lawak Island and the Chinese-occupied Mischief Reef in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost entirely despite the objections of several other countries.
Manila filed arbitration questioning China’s claim before a United Nations tribunal, but Beijing has refused to participate in the proceedings.
Apart from China and the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam also have overlapping claims to the South China Sea, a key shipping lane believed to be rich in mineral and marine resources.
