On June 15, China’s new maritime regulation took effect, granting its coast guard the authority to detain foreign nationals, including fishermen, in disputed waters for up to 60 days without trial. The move has sparked outrage across Southeast Asia, particularly in the Philippines, where the Armed Forces have ramped up patrols in the West Philippine Sea.
The regulation is widely seen as a response to recent civilian-led convoys asserting Philippine sovereignty over Scarborough Shoal. China’s sweeping claims, which cover nearly the entire South China Sea, were invalidated by a 2016 international tribunal ruling, but Beijing has ignored the verdict.
Philippine Navy officials say they are coordinating with the Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries to ensure Filipino fishermen can continue operating safely. “We will not be deterred or intimidated,” said AFP Public Affairs Chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad.
The new rule is part of a broader pattern of coercion, critics say, and underscores the need for stronger regional alliances. For right-leaning observers, it’s a wake-up call: the rules-based order is under siege, and appeasement is no longer an option.
