Chinese fishermen have been pouring cyanide into the waters around the Spratly Islands, threatening the marine environment, the Philippine Navy personnel stationed aboard the BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal, and the livelihood of Filipino fisherfolk, a National Security Council (NSC) official revealed on Monday. Speaking at a press conference at the Philippine Coast Guard WPS Transparency Office in Manila, NSC assistant director general and spokesperson Cornelio Valencia said the poisoning of the waters began last year around the Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly chain, an area near vital shipping lanes that is believed to be resource-rich.

Villamente, J. (2026, April 14). Cyanide use reported near Ayungin Shoal. Daily Tribune, p. A6.