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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider China tells PH: Stop making 'political drama' over coral destruction issue

China tells PH: Stop making 'political drama' over coral destruction issue

Published Sep 21, 2023 02:53 pm

China on Thursday told the Philippines to stop making "political drama" after the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) raised the idea of filing a complaint against Beijing over the destruction of coral reefs in the West Philippine Sea.
 

Mao Ning, spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, made the pronouncement after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported an "extensive" marine damage, including harvested coral reefs, in areas frequented by Chinese militia vessels in the Philippine waters, particularly in the Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal.
 

The Philippine government, with OSG as the country's chief legal counsel, raised the possibility of filing charges against China over such an incident—a move backed by various lawmakers.
 

As Beijing is believed to be behind the destruction, Mao said Manila's "accusations have no factual basis."
 

"We urge relevant party of the Philippines to stop creating a political drama from fiction," she said in her regular press briefing.

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Photo courtesy of China's Foreign Ministry


 

Mao said that if the Philippines "truly cares" for the marine environment in the South China Sea, then it should tow away "as soon as possible" what China believed as an illegally grounded Philippine vessel in the Ayungin Shoal.
 

She was referring to the beached BRP Sierra Madre, which was the subject of a fresh tension between Manila and Beijing after Chinese vessels blocked the Philippine vessels on a mission to resupply Sierra Madre.
 

Mao said the Philippines should "stop it from discharging polluted water into the ocean and not let the rusting warship bring irrevocable harm to the ocean."
 

On the other hand, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday night said it is ready to help the OSG in filing charges against China as it has become aware the the country's chief legal counsel is already "exploring legal options" to pursue.
 

"The DFA stands ready to contribute to this effort and will be guided by the OSG on these matters," DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said.
 

But for now, the agency will still wait for the assessment of relevant agencies regarding the environmental damage in the Rozul Reef, Daza added.
 

DFA also reminded countries entering the Philippine waters and maritime zones to comply with the Article 192 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which obliges states to protect and preserve the marine environment.
 

"As clarified by the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea,  this obligation applies in all maritime areas, both inside the national jurisdiction of States and beyond it.  States entering the Philippines' EEZ and maritime zones therefore are likewise obliged to protect and preserve our marine environment," she said.

Related Tags

BRP Sierra Madre Philippine Coast Guard Mao Ning Ayungin Shoal
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