Scarborough Shoal ‘completely surrounded’ by Chinese ships, Filipino fishers say

The shoal, known locally as Bajo de Masinloc, has been “completely surrounded” by Chinese coastguard and militia vessels, New Masinloc Fisherman’s Association President Leonardo Cuaresma told This Week in Asia.

This area has long been a traditional fishing ground for Filipino fishermen, who now find themselves pushed back to nearly 40 nautical miles (74km) away, with Chinese vessels aggressively chasing them off if they venture closer, Cuaresma said.