00:02In the picturesque, batanous islands of the Philippines, fears of a potential war between
00:07China and Taiwan are quietly growing. DW visited this archipelago on the northern frontier of
00:13Philippines, just across the sea from Taiwan. Between them lies the Bashi Channel, linking the
00:18South China Sea to the Pacific. For those who fish in these waters, spotting unidentified
00:22foreign vessels has become a regular affair. Throughout 2025, sightings were reported across
00:28multiple islands, including Mavulis and nearby waters.
00:36Whenever we head out from here to Mavulis, we've been seeing more and more yachts and
00:40foreign vessels since the pandemic. When we see them, of course we get scared. You don't
00:53know if they might ram you or do something else. Their vessels are much bigger and we
00:58don't know who they are, what they want and what they plan to do.
01:05The uncertainty raises fears of collisions and losing access to fishing grounds.
01:11It has a huge impact on fishermen. Every trip out to sea comes with fear for their safety.
01:18Some will still risk their lives for their families. But this is clearly hitting many
01:23livelihoods hard.
01:26The Batanes Islands house 20,000 people, five small boats, one airport and a district hospital.
01:33Life here revolves around sea crops and cattle. Yet its residents are consumed by the fear
01:38of being caught up in a potential conflict between China and Taiwan.
01:42The number one concern of the Philippines would be our Filipinos living in Taiwan.
01:48The Philippine government says Batanes' location makes the threat of a Taiwan conflict impossible
01:54to ignore, especially with an estimated 160,000 Filipino workers in Taiwan.
01:59I don't think that China will not seek to expand its control, not just over the space around Taiwan,
02:07but what we call the Bashi Channel, and then down into sort of, you know, a pushing toward
02:13the Batanes province.
02:15China's military posturing in the region has been constant. In March, Taiwan reported renewed
02:20large-scale Chinese military activity, calling the threat pressing.
02:24We need to have safe havens for them. There's only one airship over there. We need more than that.
02:30We need safe harbors.
02:32Philippines, US, and Japanese forces have also increased activity near the Bashi Channel,
02:37highlighting its strategic importance. Manila insists that the military bases on the islands
02:42are Philippine facilities, not US bases.
02:45Our sovereignty is non-negotiable. Our sovereignty should not be violated.
02:51Local officials say they're preparing contingency plans, similar to disaster response.
02:56Since we are the most dangerous island to that island in the north, we're preparing our contingency plan.
03:04For the fisherfolk of Idbayat, the question is not about resolving a geopolitical conflict,
03:09but the right to go out to sea and return home without fear.
03:15I'm so glad we have aatch you, sir.
03:16I will take place.
03:16I will take place over the slope of the sea as quickly as possible.
03:16Please and place the gas, click the sea of the right to the sea.
03:16I will take place over the shore and do the sea as quickly as possible.
03:17I will take place over the sea as quickly as possible.
03:17The Seal of Idbayat is a little bit more than what you can say.
03:17But it's also about this.
03:17Our chemistry class has a little bit more than what you will do to do in the sea.
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