Gibo wants to know if coral destruction in WPS a prelude to artificial island reclamation

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro Jr. wants to investigate the reported coral reef destruction in Rozul (Iroquios) Reef and Escoda (Sabina) Shoal to determine if it is linked to possible reclamation of artificial islands in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Teodoro said the DND has coordinated with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for the filing of an appropriate diplomatic protest against the Chinese government as the destruction of the marine environment in Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal was observed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) amid the swarming of Chinese militia vessels as early as July.

"We have to validate it because according to the arbitral award, that is a violation of an international treaty – the destruction of maritime life, particularly if the coral destruction is a cause of, or used for reclamation of artificial islands," Teodoro said on the sidelines of the blessing of the brand new Philippine Air Force (PAF) Cessna 208B (C-208B) Grand Caravan EX ISR aircraft at Clark Air Base in Mabalacat City, Pampanga on Tuesday, Sept. 19.

Western Command (WesCom) Chief Vice Adm. Alberto Carlos said on Sept. 16 that the Palawan-based command noticed a resurgence of Chinese vessels in Rozul Reef in August, just a month after they drove away around 50 Chinese maritime militia (CMM) vessels in the area.

Rozul Reef is located at the southern end of Recto (Reed) Bank in the northeastern portion of Kalayaan Island Group (Spratly Islands) in Palawan.

An underwater survey conducted by Philippine Navy divers revealed that the coral reef that was once abundant in Rozul Reef has already been destroyed after the Chinese militia left: "We saw that the corals are gone. There’s nothing left, they are destroyed and only debris were there," Carlos said.

Meanwhile, PCG spokesperson for WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela bared on Sept. 18 that Escoda Shoal suffered an extensive damage on its coral reef and marine environment to the point that it already looked "lifeless" after a flotilla of Chinese vessels were monitored in the area.

Escoda Shoal is an atoll located northeast of Kalayaan Island Group (Spratly Islands) in Palawan.

Such reports warranted the AFP to expedite the implementation of its modernization program so it could better safeguard the country's intetests in the WPS, according to AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., and the acquisition of the brand new reconnaissance aircraft by the Philippine Air Force (PAF) is one step closer to achieving this goal as it is seen to be deployed to patrol the WPS.
"Definitely, this aircraft will boost our capability of patrolling our maritime seas and as mentioned by the commander of Western Command, Vice Admiral Carlos, our ability to protect our sovereign rights in our exclusive economic zone depends highly on the equipment that we have  so definitely this aircraft will help us, will boost our capability in making sure that we secure our territory and our sovereign rights," Brawner said.

"Our modernization program will also depend on that shift in our strategy. This time, we are focusing on really projecting our defenses to include the nine features that are being occupied by the Philippines (in WPS)," he added.