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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PCG tells China: PH's concerns over coral destruction not mere drama

PCG tells China: PH's concerns over coral destruction not mere drama

Published Sep 24, 2023 07:19 am
tarriela.jpg
Commodore Jay Tarriela (File photo)

The Philippines’ concern over the destruction of coral reefs in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) was not just for drama but an expression of alarm over a “violent act” and “serious crime against humanity”.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) had this to say to China after the latter was linked to the destruction of coral reefs in Rozul (Iroquios) Reef and Escoda (Sabina) Shoal.

“The destruction of corals goes far beyond drama. It is a violent act and a serious crime against humanity,” Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for WPS, said on Sunday, Sept. 24.

The PCG and the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Western Command (WesCom) earlier bared that the coral reefs that were once abundant in the seabed of Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal were already crushed and harvested, making the marine environment in those areas look like lifeless.

The apparent destruction was linked by the PCG and AFP to the swarming of Chinese militia vessels in the area.

Because of this, the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) said it will consider the filing of a lawsuit against China before an international court.

However, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that the Philippine government should “stop creating a political drama from fiction,” as she belied the accusations by the PCG and AFP.

She then stated that the Philippines should tow away BRP Sierra Madre, a Philippine Navy warship that was deliberately ran aground in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, if it is really concerned about the environment, claiming that the beached vessel was dumping sea waste in the South China Sea.

Tarriela, on the other hand, responded: “Stop making allegation that BRP Sierra Madre is polluting the water, but blame it to your numerous Chinese Maritime Militia swarming the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ).”

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. earlier called China’s response over the reported coral reefs destruction as “hypocritical”, saying that the latter’s remarks were part of their propaganda to veer away the local and international attention on the real issue.

Related Tags

coral reefs PCG PH-China West Philippine Sea Jay Tarriela
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