Philippines rejects China’s claim it ‘staged’ cyanide evidence at disputed shoal

The Philippines has accused China of using cyanide to poison the South China Sea near Second Thomas Shoal, a disputed atoll in the Spratly Islands. Philippine security officials claim laboratory tests confirmed the presence of cyanide on Chinese boats seized last year. They warn the cyanide could harm marine life, weaken the reef, and deprive Filipino navy personnel stationed there of a food source. The Philippines grounded a warship on the atoll to reinforce its maritime claim. China's Foreign Ministry has dismissed the accusation as a "stunt," claiming the Philippines illegally harassed Chinese fishing boats. This accusation comes amid ongoing tensions between the two countries, including recent incidents where China disrupted resupply missions to Filipino troops stationed on the grounded warship.

The Philippines has accused Chinese fishermen of intentionally poisoning waters near the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea with cyanide, allegedly to deplete fish populations and deprive Filipino troops stationed at Second Thomas Shoal of food. The Philippine National Security Council claims the alleged poisoning began last year. China has dismissed the accusation as a "farce," stating that the Philippines is illegally harassing Chinese fishing vessels. The Spratly Islands and Second Thomas Shoal are part of a contested area in the South China Sea, where the Philippines maintains a military outpost. This accusation comes amid ongoing territorial disputes and tensions between the Philippines and China in the region.