Five years after South China Sea ruling, China's presence around Philippines only growing

Filipino fishermen crush ice as they prepare to sail to the disputed South China Sea, in Infanta, Pangasinan province, Philippines, June 26, 2021. - Reuters

CATO, Philippines (Reuters): Filipino fisherman Randy Megu has often braved the storms that spring up in the South China Sea, but these days he has a greater fear: seeing a Chinese maritime enforcement vessel on the horizon.

Five years after a landmark international arbitration court ruling repudiated China's claims to the waters where Megu fishes, the 48-year-old complains that his encounters with Chinese boats are more frequent than ever.