Philippines Accuses Chinese Maritime Militia of Severely Damaging Coral Reef

Personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard ship BRP Malabrigo aboard their rigid hull inflatable boat preparing to conduct a survey in the waters of Second Thomas shoal in the Spratly Islands in the disputed South China Sea on April 23, 2023. Red Ajibe/AFP via Getty Images

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Monday that Chinese maritime militia ships were responsible for the “severe damage” on coral reefs within Philippine territorial waters in the South China Sea.

This follows a report by the Philippine military accusing Chinese militia of destroying corals in the seabed of Rozul Reef (also known as Iroquois Reef) and Escoda Shoal, which are within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The PCG backed the military’s report and said it observed an average presence of 33 Chinese maritime militia vessels in Iroquois Reef and 15 other vessels in Escoda Shoal between Aug. 9 and Sept. 11.

During that period, the PCG conducted extensive underwater surveys of the seabed, and the results showed that the marine ecosystem there “appeared lifeless, with minimal to no signs of life.”

The PCG said there was “visible discoloration” of the seabed in Escoda Shoal that indicated “deliberate activities may have been undertaken to modify the natural topography of its underwater terrain.”

“The presence of crushed corals strongly suggests a potential act of dumping, possibly involving the same dead corals that were previously processed and cleaned before being returned to the seabed,” it said in a statement on Sept. 18.

The PCG said the continued swarming of Chinese militia ships “for an indiscriminate illegal and destructive fishing activities” may have directly caused the degradation and destruction of the marine environment in the areas.

Philippine ship BRP Sierra Madre grounded on Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea on March 9, 2023 - As a Philippine Coast Guard plane carrying journalists flew over the Spratly Islands in the hotly disputed South China Sea, a Chinese voice issued a stern command over the radio: "Leave immediately." Jam Sta Rosa/AFP via Getty Images

Following that, the Department of Foreign Affairs said the Philippines has consistently voiced concerns about “ecologically harmful activities” conducted by foreign vessels within its maritime zones in the South China Sea.

“We, therefore, call on everyone concerned to act responsibly and cease all activities that can damage our precious marine environment. The well-being of millions of people who depend on the South China Sea for their livelihood is at stake,” it said, according to the Philippine News Agency.

Chinese Ships Remain in Disputed Reef

Satellite imagery from U.S.-based Planet Labs on Sept. 17 showed that at least 35 Chinese fishing and militia vessels continued operating within Iroquois Reef, according to Ray Powell, SeaLight director at the Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation.

Mr. Powell said that under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling, the Philippines holds the right to the resources within its EEZ, rendering the Chinese ships’ activities in the areas illegal.

“China’s exploitation of the marine resources at Iroquois Reef is therefore not only highly destructive of the marine ecosystem but also illegal under international law,” he stated on SeaLight’s website.

Beijing claims much of the South China Sea as its own territory. In 2016, the Hague Tribunal sided with the Philippines in its territorial disputes over the South China Sea, but the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) refused to recognize the ruling.

The CCP published last month its “standard” national map showcasing its extensive claims in the South China Sea. The map now features a “10-dash line” instead of the previous nine dashes used to stake claims on the disputed waters, with an additional dash to the east of Taiwan.

The Philippines, along with five other countries, have objected and said the map overlaps with their respective territorial claims. Taiwan also rejected the map and affirmed that it isn’t a part of China.

The Philippines said the new map was an attempt by the Chinese regime to legitimize its purported sovereignty and jurisdiction over Philippine features and maritime zones in the South China Sea.

“The Philippines, therefore, calls on China to act responsibly and abide by its obligations under UNCLOS and the final and binding 2016 Arbitral Award,” the Philippines government said.