South China Sea: Manila could file case against Beijing over possible cyanide use by Chinese boats

Citing reports from Filipino fishermen, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) last week said Chinese and Vietnamese trawlers have been using the toxic substance in the shoal, locally known as Bajo de Masinloc.

“If we feel that there is enough ground to do so, we will [pursue charges],” Marcos said, adding that cyanide use in Philippine waters was not uncommon.

Jonathan Malaya, a spokesman of the National Security Council, said BFAR would work on gathering more evidence to back its claim, which China dismissed as “sheer fabrication”.

“The Chinese government attaches great importance to the protection of ecological environment and conservation of fishing resources and resolutely fights against fishing activities that violate laws and regulations,” its foreign ministry said.

BFAR spokesperson Nazario Briguera accused the Chinese fishermen of using cyanide to “intentionally destroy Bajo de Masinloc to prevent Filipino fishing boats from fishing in the area”.

Malaya said BFAR’s findings, if substantiated, could be sent to the Department of Justice and the Office of the Solicitor General for building a case on environmental destruction before an appropriate international tribunal.

“The challenge here is to prove the responsibility for the coral degradation and the impact to the environment is coming from these specific people,” he said.

Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra agreed with Malaya, saying “any legal action must be supported by strong, solid and competent evidence that can withstand the scrutiny of any international tribunal”.

Cyanide fishing involves the sprinkling of the deadly chemical compound near coral reefs to stun fish so they can be easily caught.

Fisherfolk group Pamalakaya criticised BFAR for “failing”