Senator Francis Tolentino has filed a resolution seeking to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the reported alleged cyanide fishing of foreign fisherman in Bajo de Masinloc.

In resolution no. 938, Tolentino cited the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) who disclosed that the Chinese fishermen are reportedly using cyanide to destroy Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal in an apparent bid to discourage Filipinos from fishing in its waters.

BFAR spokesperson Nazario Briguera said that the bureau learned of the damage of the coral reefs in Bajo de Masinloc from its ground personnel.

Briguera stressed that the use of cyanide in Bajo de Masinloc compromises the entire marine resources, stressing that the waters of other countries will also be affected.

China dismissed as only a "baseless allegation" and "sheer fabrication" the Philippines' report that Chinese fishermen are using cyanide to damage Scarborough Shoal.

However, Tolentino said in his resolution that despite this issuance of denial by the Chinese government, "it is incumbent upon the Republic of the Philippines to investigate the said allegations not only because the same causes the destruction of our marine ecosystem but also undermines the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Philippines."

In a press conference on Monday, February 26, Tolentino said that he considers this use of cyanide as "environmental terrorism."

"Marami tayong pwedeng i-implicate na international agreements to hold accountable kung sino man ang lalabas sang-ayon sa imbestigasyon na may sala dito (We can implicate a lot of international agreements here to hold accountable whoever it is that will come out as the one behind this incident)," he said.