Tolentino on China's response to coral destruction: 'They're the only country interested'

For Sen. Francis Tolentino, there's no denying that China is the only country interested in areas in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

He made the statement during an interview on CNN Philippines, following the pronouncement of China that the country's accusations "have no factual basis" in relation to the destruction of coral reefs in the WPS particularly in Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal.

"There's no denying that they're the only country interested because Escoda, Sabina is sort of the guard post going to Ayungin. Before you reach Ayungin, you have to pass by Sabina overcoming from the Palawan Strait," explained Tolentino, who chairs the Senate Special Committee on Philippine Maritime and Admiralty Zones.

"As to the other area and now referring to Iroquois, that's an area very near direct to the Recto Bank which is where we are intending to have an exploration of sorts for natural gas and oil reserves in the area," he added. 

Tolentino mentioned that both of these areas are strategically located in which is part of the Philippines' exclusive economic zone and where there is a continuing interest in developing or staking the country's claim. 

Tolentino, also believes that China is trying to evade the issue, and not just pictures but evidence-based proof would show that the destructions made in Iroquois as well as in Escoda or Sabina are not really due to natural waves or current but it's man-made and because of human intervention. 

"Sila lang naman yung nandoon (They're the only ones there) because of their swarming activities,"  he said.

He said that these swarming activities are what caused discoloration the pulverization of corals which are man-made activities and interventions which is a direct violation of the law of the sea. 

The Philippine government, with the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) standing in as its chief legal counsel, floated the possibility of filing charges against China over such an incident.

While the military didn't directly point to China regarding the issue, when asked if the senators were saying it's China, Tolentino responded that for him personally, it would lead to the conclusion that China might have been involved in this.

"Evidence, pictures of swarming, the timeline, after the swarming, before the swarming the post-swarming result would definitely conclude that something happened when they're trying to cover a shoal or a reef, the result would be this," he said.

"We have to have more evidence concerning this because we will be elevating this to an international body which would receive evidence. The findings would probably lead to the conclusion that the violations were there and damages would be inevitable," he added.