The Philippines said today it executed a special operation to remove a floating barrier installed by China at a prime fishing patch in the South China Sea. The Philippines coast guard said this special operation was instructed by President Ferdinand Marcos Junior.

The Philippines expressed outrage on Sunday and shared images of a Chinese coastguard guarding a long, ball-buoy barrier near the Scarborough Shoal. Hours after the national security adviser had vowed to take action, the Philippines removed the floating cordon.

Meanwhile, Manila says China violated its fishing rights with the 300m barrier in the Scarborough Shoal.