The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) intercepted several Chinese fishing boats allegedly using cyanide for illegal fishing near Ayungin Shoal on October 24, 2025.

According to AFP Public Affairs Office Chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad, troops under the Western Command confiscated fishing equipment, including bottles believed to contain chemical substances used in destructive fishing activities.

The AFP warned that the use of cyanide poses serious harm to coral reefs and marine life in the area.

The AFP said its personnel promptly escorted the unauthorized Chinese vessels out of Philippine waters, following established operational protocols. The military emphasized that the swift action helped prevent further environmental damage.

“The Armed Forces of the Philippines reaffirms its commitment to protecting the marine environment in the West Philippine Sea,” the AFP said in a social media post.

“[Our] continuous presence and patrols in the area are lawful and focused on ensuring the safety of our personnel, upholding territorial integrity, and preserving the ecological balance of our maritime domain.”

The Ayungin Shoal, where the grounded BRP Sierra Madre serves as a Philippine military outpost, remains one of the most contested areas in the West Philippine Sea.