Philippines warns of ‘sabotage’ after cyanide seizure in disputed South China Sea atoll

The Philippines discovered cyanide on Chinese boats operating around a disputed atoll in the South China Sea, security officials from the country said on Monday.

Authorities ​said laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the highly toxic substance in bottles ‌seized by ‌the Philippine navy in operations at Second Thomas Shoal last year.

Officials warned ​that the cyanide could have had serious consequences for marine life and weakened the reef supporting a warship that Manila grounded on the atoll to reinforce its maritime claim.