Philippines claims “major damage” to marine life in waters disputed with China

Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela, Spokesperson of the Philippine Coast Guard Command, made a statement regarding the report examining the marine life in the disputed waters.

Tarriela stated that the report “reveals the great damage to the seabed, marine environment and coral reefs of Rozul Reef and Escoda Shallow” and emphasized that there is a very strong possibility that “waste dumping” may have been done in the region.

Noting that the coast guard launched a mission to conduct comprehensive research in “Rozul Reef” and “Escoda Shallow” between August 9 and September 11, Tarriela said that the presence of approximately 45 Chinese ships was detected around the research areas in the same period.

“The results of the survey reveal that the marine ecosystem in the area appears lifeless, with few signs of life,” Tarriela said. he said.

– South China Sea dispute

The South China Sea has been the subject of sovereignty disputes since the littoral countries gained their independence after World War II.

China claims sovereignty over 80 percent of the South China Sea with the map it first published in 1947. Coastal neighboring countries such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei and Malaysia also claim rights in the region.

The United States, as well as regional countries, oppose China’s construction of military bases on disputed islands in the region and its long-term maintenance of civilian ship fleets.

It is observed that the USA has recently increased its military patrol and navigation activities, called “Freedom of Navigation Operations” (FONP), in the region against the increasing presence of China.