Cyanide Bottles Recovered from Chinese Vessels at Ayungin Shoal

Photo courtesy of Manila Bulletin

The National Security Council (NSC) announced on April 13 that cyanide was found in bottles recovered from Chinese sampans near Ayungin Shoal, raising concerns about potential sabotage targeting local marine life and ecosystems. The Philippine Navy retrieved these bottles in February and October of 2025, sparking fears over the intentional destruction of fish supplies and coral reefs around the BRP Sierra Madre, a grounded vessel in the West Philippine Sea.

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The cyanide contamination was confirmed by the National Bureau of Investigation's Forensic and Scientific Research Service. NSC spokesperson Cornelio Valencia Jr. emphasized the grave implications of using such chemicals, highlighting potential risks to the local ecosystem and to Navy personnel relying on these waters for food. Valencia warned that continued use of cyanide could damage the reef's structural foundation, jeopardizing the BRP Sierra Madre and enabling China to allege environmental crises caused by the Philippines.

BRP Sierra Madre has been stationed at Ayungin Shoal since 1999, serving as a base for Filipino Marines who depend on the area’s resources. While the ship's presence is disputed by China, claiming it pollutes the shoal, it remains strategically significant for the Philippines in asserting sovereign rights within its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Despite the 2016 Arbitral Ruling against China’s territorial claims, Chinese vessels continue operating aggressively in the contested waters.

To address the issue, the NSC has directed the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other relevant agencies to increase maritime patrols and implement measures to prevent further environmental and security threats. Valencia declared the Philippines' intent to safeguard its maritime boundaries, emphasizing that any threats from state or non-state actors would not be tolerated.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Manila Bulletin · 13 Apr 2026