Philippine troops drive away Chinese boats for suspected cyanide fishing

Philippine troops from the Western Command forcibly drove away Chinese fishing boats suspected of using cyanide for destructive fishing in Ayungin Shoal.

On Friday night, soldiers stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre spotted the Chinese fishermen and deployed two rubber boats to accost them.

The Chinese fishing boat was towed out of the shoal before being allowed to leave.

Philippine Navy spokesperson Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad stated that troops were enforcing sovereign rights within Ayungin Shoal.

Trinidad explained that the cyanide is used to stun marine species, making them easier to catch and sell, which is detrimental to the environment and coral reefs.