You made us proud! Bautista lauds PCG for removing China's floating barriers at Panatag Shoal
Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista lauded on Tuesday, Sept. 26, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) what he described as a bold action in dismantling the floating barriers at the Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
Bautista said the actions done by the PCG personnel made all the Filipinos proud as it reinforced the government’s stand in asserting the Philippine sovereignty over the Panatag Shoal.

photo: PCG
“Congratulations to our brave Coast Guardians for successfully dismantling the floating barriers placed by the Chinese Coast Guard inside the Panatag Shoal,” said Bautista.
“In heeding the President’s directive, your actions demonstrated our resolve to assert our sovereignty within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone. You make us all proud,” he added.
The PCG is under the DOTr.
China earlier admitted to installing floating barriers at the entrance of the Scarborough Shoal in order to prevent what it describes as intruders into its sovereignty.
China has been claiming almost the entire South China Sea through its dash-lines, a claim that was rejected by the United Nations tribunal when the Philippines won its case against China in 2016.
The installation was condemned by a number of Philippine officials and government agencies.
The PCG said it conducted a special operation to remove the floating barrier based on the order of President Marcos.