Philippine Fishermen Driven Away from Scarborough Shoal
· culture
Empty Victory at Scarborough Shoal
The Philippines’ landmark international ruling against China’s maritime claims at Scarborough Shoal in 2016 was met with jubilation, but for local fishermen like Rony Drio and Henrilito Empoc, that victory has been hollow. Filipino fishing vessels are driven away by Chinese harassment, rendering the tribunal’s decision a distant memory.
For years, Filipino fishermen fished at Scarborough Shoal despite its disputed status. However, since 2012, when China began asserting de facto control over the area, tensions have escalated. After the ruling, one would expect a respite from these confrontations, but instead, Chinese vessels have intensified their efforts to block and chase Filipino fishermen away.
Drio and Empoc are among many who now steer clear of Scarborough Shoal, opting for safer waters closer to shore. Their livelihoods – once dependent on the shoal’s rich fishing grounds – have suffered as a result. “When we heard in 2016 that we had won, what came to our minds and hearts was the freedom to fish again,” Empoc recalled. For him and countless others like Drio, however, that freedom remains an illusion.
The tribunal’s decision sparked significant diplomatic fallout, with Manila gaining support from its allies – including the United States, Japan, and Australia. Diplomats and analysts had hoped this collective pressure would curb China’s aggressive behavior in the South China Sea. Yet, Beijing has continued to exert control over Scarborough Shoal and other disputed areas.
The irony is stark: while the Philippines’ legal stance against China has strengthened, its fishermen are more vulnerable than ever to harassment and intimidation. This raises questions about the effectiveness of Manila’s diplomatic efforts – and whether these have genuinely addressed the concerns of those most directly affected by the dispute.
China’s actions at Scarborough Shoal have been counterproductive in one key respect: they’ve driven a wedge between Manila and its fishing communities. Jay Batongbacal notes that without Chinese aggression, the Philippines may not have secured additional security partners or deepened its defense cooperation with foreign powers. But for Filipino fishermen like Drio and Empoc, these developments are of little comfort.
“We won in 2016, but it doesn’t feel like a victory to me,” Drio said, echoing the sentiments of many who’ve been pushed out by Chinese forces. Their words serve as a stark reminder that the tribunal’s decision has yet to translate into meaningful change for those living on the frontlines of this dispute.
The situation at Scarborough Shoal is not an isolated incident but rather speaks to broader patterns of coercion and harassment in the South China Sea, where China’s actions are designed to deter other nations from contesting its claims. This also highlights the need for more robust measures to protect Filipino fishermen and their livelihoods.
Manila must do more than just assert its rights; it needs to ensure that these rights translate into tangible benefits for those affected by the dispute. This includes concrete steps to safeguard fishing communities, support economic development in coastal areas, and strengthen its partnerships with allies to counterbalance China’s growing influence.
The empty victory at Scarborough Shoal serves as a stark warning: for Filipino fishermen, the war of words has yet to translate into peace on the waters.
Reader Views
- PLProf. Lana D. · social historian
The Scarborough Shoal debacle exemplifies the disconnect between international diplomacy and the lives of ordinary people in the South China Sea. While Manila's diplomatic efforts have yielded symbolic victories, they have not translated into tangible benefits for those most affected: Filipino fishermen like Rony Drio and Henrilito Empoc who eke out a living from these waters. To address this anomaly, it is imperative that the Philippines' diplomatic strategy be complemented by practical measures to protect its fishermen's livelihoods – such as implementing robust coastal surveillance and providing economic support for fishing communities displaced by Chinese aggression.
- DCDrew C. · cultural critic
The Philippine government's fixation on asserting its claims in international forums has overshadowed the human cost of China's aggressive expansion into the South China Sea. While Manila's diplomatic efforts may have earned it some temporary allies and symbolic victories, they've done little to protect the livelihoods of fishermen like Rony Drio and Henrilito Empoc who depend on Scarborough Shoal for their income. The tribunal's ruling has become a hollow shell, masking the reality that China's control over disputed waters is more entrenched than ever, with Filipino fishermen paying the price in lost income and compromised safety.
- TSThe Society Desk · editorial
The ruling at Scarborough Shoal was always going to be a hollow victory if Manila's fishermen were denied access to their traditional fishing grounds. But what about the long-term implications of this harassment? Will Filipino fishermen eventually abandon Scarborough Shoal altogether, sacrificing their livelihoods and cultural heritage for the sake of diplomacy? It's a question that highlights the complexities of balancing national interests with local economic needs. Beijing's assertiveness in the South China Sea has effectively pushed Manila's fishermen into a maritime squeeze play – caught between a rock (Chinese aggression) and a hard place (their own government's diplomatic posturing).