Philippines Navy tear down Chinese fishing nets in South China Sea
The Chinese coastguard helped fishermen retrieve their damaged nets, according to state media. Photo: Xinhua
The Philippines Navy has been damaging Chinese fishing nets in the South China Sea and removing them completely near the Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands, Chinese media has reported. Xinhua news agency reported Tuesday (Jun 4) that Philippines military personnel tore down fishing nets laid by Chinese fishermen in the surrounding waters. Some videos showing the troops aboard rubber boats cutting the nets have also appeared on social media.
As per an estimate by Chinese media, the Philippine military has so far damaged 2,000 metres of fishing net and taken more than 100 metres since May 15. Chinese coast guard later helped Chinese fishermen gather their destroyed nets from the area.
The latest incident is all set to further ratchet up tensions between the two nations as Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s administration in the Philippines takes a more assertive stance and forges closer military ties with the US.
According to analysts, such acts by Manila were totally legal and understandable as Chinese fishermen don't have the right to operate in the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone. The Second Thomas Shoal lies within the Philippines’ 370-kilometer EEZ, some 194 km off Palawan province.
“If they see illegal acts, they can initiate the dismantling of intrusive objects since they are the prime protector of our sovereign state and the people,” Security analyst Chester Cabalza was quoted as saying by Inquirer.net.
“China will always try to twist the story to advance their national interest,” he added, saying, “The placement of nets near Ayungin Shoal is a provocation.”
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
National Handloom Day 2026: From Alia Bhatt to Samantha Ruth Prabhu; Actresses who celebrated India's textile heritage as brides
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
Unitree Robotics targets $9 billion valuation in landmark IPO backed by DeepSeek and Tencent
)
India names 27 sites in Arunachal Pradesh
)
Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata OTT: When will Kangana Ranaut's film stream online?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How many soldiers operate one S-400 battery?
)
Shakib Al Hasan ready to return to Bangladesh—under one condition
)
‘Fake news’: MEA rejects report claiming India sought defence pact with Israel after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey deal
)
Rockstar to unveil GTA 6 extended look ahead of November launch
)
Russia forms Ukrainian Volunteer Spetsnaz Brigade to fight Ukraine
)
Drug-resistant fungus that hides in hair and enters bloodstream reported in 23 US states
)
Technology transfer deal boosts India's defence manufacturing ambitions
)
Border row erupts in Europe after Ceuta crossings, Spain imposes border controls on Italy
)
Morale plummets on USS Abraham Lincoln: Are US sailors reaching a breaking point? | GRAVITAS
)
'Security can't be bought with Pakistan, Turkey deal': Iran tells Saudi Arabia
)
Baba Vanga's 2026 prophecy: 2 predictions 'already came true', 3 terrifying ones remain. Details inside
)
Colombia’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella vows to ‘defeat narco-terrorists’, signals hardline shift
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New Friday OTT releases (August 7, 2026): Operation Safed Sagar, Vadhandhi, Main Vaapis Aaunga- 6 movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth scripts history as Indian Air Force gets its first woman ‘Top Gun’ pilot
)
RSS says Gen Z protests reflect genuine distress
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
IAF officer held for sharing sensitive information in 'honey trap' case, booked under Official Secrets Act
)
Stray Kids under scrutiny? Fans react to Grammy submission silence after BTS boycott
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI doesn't need external fuel tanks to fly vast distances
)
Jugal Hansraj reunites with Shekhar Kapur after 40 years for Masoom: The Next Generation
)
New speed limits, automatic challans: Big traffic change coming to Delhi-Meerut Expressway. All you need to know
)
India officially names 27 places in Arunachal to counter China's renaming claims
)
Trump calls White House ballroom ruling a 'national disgrace' as court says Congress approval needed
)
US sanctions Iran’s crypto network after Strait of Hormuz attacks, offers $15m bounty for intel on IRGC finance
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI is one of the heaviest fighters ever built
)
Uttarakhand young innovator builds India's own flying vehicle, conducts first test flight: WATCH
)
Chilling video shows students take cover as teen opens fire at Thai school
)
Reese Witherspoon's father hospitalised after poolside incident in Nashville: Report
“This psych ops is clearly made to get the sympathy of the international community and weaken the strong Philippine narrative and resistance,” he continued.
The relations between the two nations have strained following several instances of confrontation between the two militaries. In March, two Chinese coast guard ships blasted a Philippines supply boat with water cannon. This had caused heavy damage to the wooden vessel of the Philippines, causing a diplomatic standoff between Manila and Beijing.
(With inputs from agencies)