The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is now currently working with the government agencies to verify a report of the alleged dumping of raw sewage from hundreds of Chinese ships within the country’s territory in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
This was bared by PCG spokesperson Commodore Armand Balilo during a press briefing on Wednesday, July 14.
Balilo said the PCG is now coordinating with the concerned government agencies to verify the report.
“Kasama na po kami sa nagchecheck kung totoo po yung mga larawan na naipresenta po sa media. We are just checking what is available at ang importante po dito ay maging credible kung sakaling meron pong mafindout sa paginquire (We are already among those who check if the pictures presented in the media are true. We are just checking what is available and the important thing here is to be credible in case we find out in the inquiry),” Balilo said.
The United States-based geospatial intelligence company Simularity has welcomed any investigation into the methods and results that they use in the wake of allegations that their report is “not true” and “fake”.
READ MORE: US firm welcomes probe on Spratlys sewage dumping report
Last March, over 200 Chinese vessels were spotted in Julian Felipe (Whitsun) Reef, in the West Philippine Sea that could be engaged in overfishing and posed risks to navigation safety.
READ MORE: 220 Chinese militia vessels spotted in West PH Sea