Philippines accuses China of poisoning disputed waters
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MANILA: The Philippines’ National Security Council (NSC) on Monday accused Chinese fishermen of using cyanide to poison waters around Second Thomas Shoal, a move Manila claims is intended to destroy local fish populations and sabotage Filipino troops.
During a press conference, NSC assistant director-general Cornelio Valencia stated that the poisoning, which allegedly began last year, seeks to deprive Navy personnel stationed on the BRP Sierra Madre of a vital food source. Philippine Navy officials reported seizing ten bottles of cyanide from Chinese-launched boats between February and October 2025.
Following this observation, tests conducted on the shoal's waters returned positive for cyanide. The report further notes that while the environmental tests confirmed the presence of the poison, none of the Filipino troops stationed on the BRP Sierra Madre have tested positive for cyanide exposure. This evidence follows the earlier seizure of ten yellow bottles, suspected to contain the toxin, from Chinese fishing vessels during multiple encounters throughout last year.
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