Philippine convoy sails to Scarborough Shoal on May 15 to assert sovereignty

On May 15th, around 100 boats will join a Filipino civilian convoy sailing to Scarborough Shoal to assert sovereignty by installing buoys and delivering essential supplies.

China has controlled Scarborough Shoal since 2012, preventing Filipino fishermen from accessing their traditional fishing grounds.

Scarborough Shoal is within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as defined by UNCLOS.

The Trilateral Meeting at the White House between US President Joe Biden, Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was a response to China's aggressive territorial claims in the South China Sea.

Philippine EEZ waters are crucial for securing energy independence as they potentially hold vast reserves of oil and gas.