Philippines Claims Chinese Fishermen Used Cyanide in Reefs

Published: 05 December 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

The Philippine government has launched a scathing formal accusation against Chinese fishing fleets, alleging that they have deliberately used cyanide to destroy coral reefs within the South China Sea. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) presented detailed environmental reports and satellite imagery to suggest that the toxic chemical is being deployed in the disputed waters of Scarborough Shoal. According to Philippine authorities, the primary objective behind this practice is not only to increase fish hauls by stunning marine life but also to systematically damage the ecological foundations of the area, effectively preventing Filipino artisanal fishermen from operating in their traditional fishing grounds.

The use of cyanide in fishing is a highly destructive method that involves squirt bottles of the poison being sprayed into reef crevices to paralyze fish for easier capture. However, the environmental fallout is catastrophic, as the chemical kills the delicate coral polyps that form the backbone of the marine ecosystem. Philippine security officials have labeled these actions as a form of “environmental warfare,” suggesting that the degradation of the reefs is a strategic move to solidify maritime territorial claims. By rendering the waters barren, the incentive for local Philippine fishing communities to frequent the area diminishes, potentially allowing foreign vessels to occupy the space without civilian interference.

The allegations have sparked a heated diplomatic row between Manila and Beijing, further straining a relationship already marred by frequent maritime skirmishes and water cannon incidents. The Philippine Coast Guard has increased its patrols in the West Philippine Sea, documenting what it describes as “scarred landscapes” beneath the surface where vibrant coral colonies once thrived. Divers and marine biologists working with the Philippine government have collected water and tissue samples that allegedly show elevated levels of chemical toxins consistent with industrial-grade cyanide. These findings have been submitted to international maritime bodies as part of a growing dossier on ecological crimes in the region.

China’s foreign ministry has dismissed the claims as “baseless and malicious,” asserting that its fishing fleets operate in accordance with international laws and internal conservation standards. Beijing has countered by accusing the Philippines of politicizing environmental issues to gain leverage in the ongoing territorial disputes. Despite these denials, independent regional environmental groups have expressed deep concern over the long-term viability of the South China Sea’s biodiversity. They warn that the destruction of these reefs could lead to a total collapse of local fish stocks, which are a vital source of protein and income for millions of people across Southeast Asia.

The international community has begun to weigh in on the crisis, with several nations calling for an independent, UN-led environmental audit of the disputed shoals. Legal experts suggest that if the accusations are proven, the Philippines could seek reparations through international tribunals under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). As the war of words intensifies, the immediate victim remains the marine environment. The destruction of these reefs is often irreversible, taking decades or even centuries to recover. For the fishermen who rely on these waters, the silent death of the coral represents a permanent loss of their heritage and their livelihood, turning a geopolitical struggle into a profound ecological tragedy.

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