The Philippines has rejected China’s move to declare a “national nature reserve” at the disputed Scarborough Shoal, bringing back to the surface one of the region’s most stubborn maritime conflicts. Manila’s protest highlights not only sovereignty concerns but also the need for stronger outside support as the situation in the South China Sea grows more volatile.
Scarborough Shoal: background and importance
Known to Filipinos as Bajo de Masinloc, Scarborough Shoal sits about 120 nautical miles from Zambales. The shallow reef, rich in marine life, has been claimed by both Manila and Beijing for years. A standoff in 2012 ended with China tightening its grip, forcing many Filipino fishermen to scale back their catch or venture farther out to sea.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favor of the Philippines, striking down China’s “nine-dash line” claim. Yet Beijing has ignored the verdict, keeping its coast guard and militia vessels active around the shoal. For Manila, the area remains both a symbol of sovereignty and a vital fishing ground.
China’s reserve plan and the Philippine protest
Beijing’s State Council announced this week that the shoal would be turned into a marine reserve. Framed as environmental protection, the plan was immediately challenged by the Department of Foreign Affairs, which said only the Philippines has the right to create sanctuaries in its waters.
Officials called the measure “unlawful and illegitimate,” pointing to the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 arbitral award. They also warned that the move could tighten restrictions on Filipino fishermen under the guise of conservation.
A tense August: joint sail and naval collision
The protest follows a month of high tension. In August, Philippine and US vessels held a joint sail through the South China Sea to underline their security partnership. On August 11, two Chinese ships, a warship and a coast guard cutter, collided near Scarborough while chasing a Philippine patrol. Manila released footage showing the damage and accused Beijing of reckless maneuvers.
The collision, though involving only Chinese vessels, highlighted the risks of crowded seas and aggressive tactics in contested waters.
Marcos presses for US support
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has tied these developments to a broader push for stronger American involvement in the Indo-Pacific. He said the Philippines, standing on the frontlines of maritime disputes, cannot meet these challenges alone. Cooperation with Washington, Tokyo, and Canberra, he added, must go beyond words and translate into concrete action.
