Atin Ito: China’s threats to jail WPS trespassers a desperate move

‘CHINA IS TRESPASSING’

A civilian group which recently went to Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) denounced on Saturday China’s threat to detain foreigners trespassing in the South China Sea.

“China’s threats on so-called trespassers in the West Philippine Sea are a clear indication of their desperation,” Akbayan president and Atin Ito Coalition co-convenor Rafaela David said in a statement.

“It is China which is trespassing in our seas. These threats are not only a violation of international law but also an admission by China that our peaceful, civilian-led initiatives are effective and winning the hearts and minds of many in the global community,” she added.

China has issued a regulation empowering its coast guard to detain foreigners trespassing in the South China Sea following the Philippine civilian mission led by Atin Ito Coalition to the WPS that ended on Friday.

The China Coast Guard (CCG) can detain trespassers withou