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Eugene

(61,595 posts)
Wed Mar 2, 2016, 12:38 AM Mar 2016

Filipino fishermen say China blocking access to South China Sea atoll: media

Source: Reuters

World | Tue Mar 1, 2016 10:11pm EST

Filipino fishermen say China blocking access to South China Sea atoll: media

MANILA | BY MANUEL MOGATO

China has stationed up to five ships around a disputed atoll in the South China Sea, preventing Filipino fishermen from accessing traditional fishing grounds, media in the Philippines reported on Wednesday.

In a move that would likely raise tensions in the disputed region, the Philippine Star newspaper said China began deploying ships to Quirino Atoll, also known as Jackson Atoll, after a fishing vessel recently ran aground in the area. It quoted unidentified Filipino fishermen and officials in the area.

Eugenio Bito-onon Jr, the mayor of the Kalayaan region in the Spratly Islands, told the newspaper the ships had been based at the uninhabited atoll for more than a month. "They have many ships there,” he said.

The Philippine military said it had received reports about the presence of Chinese ships in the area.

"We are still verifying these reports," spokesman Brigadier-General Restituto Padilla told Reuters. "We know there are Chinese ships moving around the Spratly area. There are also ships around Second Thomas Shoal so we want to make sure if the presence is permanent."

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-southchinasea-china-philippines-idUSKCN0W402A
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Filipino fishermen say China blocking access to South China Sea atoll: media (Original Post) Eugene Mar 2016 OP
Right, those Filipino fishermen get media coverage all the time. bemildred Mar 2016 #1
it's a very large fisheries, actually MisterP Mar 2016 #2
I don't doubt that, I doubt that it is the reason for the big international dispute, bemildred Mar 2016 #3
well at least we're sorta on Vietnam's side this time MisterP Mar 2016 #4
True. We won't make that mistake again. nt bemildred Mar 2016 #5

bemildred

(90,061 posts)
1. Right, those Filipino fishermen get media coverage all the time.
Wed Mar 2, 2016, 08:21 AM
Mar 2016

Last edited Wed Mar 2, 2016, 11:12 AM - Edit history (1)

Lot's of fish around those atolls, very important to the Filipino economy.

bemildred

(90,061 posts)
3. I don't doubt that, I doubt that it is the reason for the big international dispute,
Wed Mar 2, 2016, 04:02 PM
Mar 2016

or why we get to hear about the fishermen in the news now.

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