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The presence of the China Coast Guard (CCG) persists despite the effort of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to block them and assist the four main vessels of the second civilian resupply mission of the Atin Ito Coalition to the Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal in the West Philippine Sea May 16, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

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Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — China’s new policy of detaining individuals it sees as “trespassers” in the South China Sea is just part Beijing’s “scare tactics,” an official from the National Security Council said on Monday. </p><p>While the policy — which is expected to take effect in June — is “provocative and escalatory,” officials are urging fisherfolk “not to be intimidated” by the pronouncement, said NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya.</p><p>“We consider this as provocative and escalatory kasi parang tinatakot nila yung ating mga mangingisda na pumalaot kasi puwede na daw nilang artestuhin at idetine,” he told state television PTV. </p><p>“Sa tingin ko, parte lang ito ng scare tactics ng Tsina. Wag po tayo magpapaintimidate, wag tayo magpapatalo diyan. Tuloy-tuloy lang yung pangingisda natin diyan,” he said.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/5/20/nsc-philippines-compiling-evidence-on-new-case-vs-china-1607" id="isPasted">READ: NSC: Philippines compiling evidence on new case vs China</a></div><p> (We consider this as provocative and escalatory because it seems that they are warning fisherfolk against sailing because there is the possibility of either arrest or detention. I think this is just part of China’s scare tactics. Do not be intimidated, do not be deterred. Continue fishing in those waters.)</p><p>Malay underscored that China had given its Coast Guard similar powers and authority in 2021, but was not implemented across the strategic waterways.</p><p>“Ayaw natin na bigyan ito ng pansin dahil alam natin na scare tactics ito. The moment na we raise this with the Chinese authorities, it is a sort of recognition or acquiescence,” he said.</p><p>“This is an empty threat on the part of China, but just in case, nag-utos na ang ating Pangulo… na paigtingin yung presensya. Kumbaga sa lungsod, police visibility, greater presence para kung may ganitong incidents ay may matatawagan sila,” he said.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/5/20/china-risks-sure-legal-defeat-if-pinoy-fishermen-arrested-carpio-1422" id="isPasted">READ: China risks &#x27;sure&#x27; legal defeat if Pinoy fishermen arrested: Carpio</a></div><p>(We don’t want to give this too much attention because we know that this is just scare tactics. The moment na we raise this with the Chinese authorities, it is a sort of recognition or acquiescence. This is an empty threat on the part of China, but just in case, our President has already ordered an increased presence in the area so that Filipinos can call on somebody in case of any incident.)</p><p>Other governments in the region are also concerned about China’s new policy as it also affects other nations around the South China Sea, including Brunei, Indonesia and Taiwan, Malaya said.</p><p>“I-assert natin yung supremacy ng international law because that is the only way we can have a rules-based order,” he said.</p><p>(We should continue to assert the supremacy of international law because that is the only way we can have a rules-based order.)</p><p>China announced the new policy after Filipino civilians sailed in the West Philippine Sea to distribute fuel and food to fisherfolk staying in waters deemed as traditional fishing grounds.</p><p>The latest development in the South China Sea comes as heightened tensions between Manila and Beijing continue<br/>with Asia’s largest economy snubbing an international arbitral ruling that invalidated its claim in the strategic waterway in 2016. </p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/I-HVefGcbkw?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong></div>

<p>China’s new policy of detaining individuals it sees as “trespassers” in the South China Sea is just part Beijing’s “scare tactics,” an official from the National Security Council said on Monday.</p>

China’s new policy of detaining individuals it sees as “trespassers” in the South China Sea is just part Beijing’s “scare tactics,” an official from the National Security Council said on Monday.

China's detention policy for 'trespassers' part of 'scare tactics' — security exec

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China's detention policy for 'trespassers' part of 'scare tactics' — security exec

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 20, 2024 05:21 PM PHT

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West Philippine Sea

China

Jonathan Malaya

South China Sea

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