Tolentino links coral harvest along Rozul Reef in WPS to possible reclamation

Senator Francis Tolentino on Monday linked the reported removal and destruction of corals in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) to a possible reclamation project in the area.

“Mayroon akong nakikita pa rito mas malalim na ginagawa kaya po nagkakaroon ng ganiyan. May ibang plano siguro diyan ang gumagawa niyan. Hindi lang iyong pagkuha ng corals at pagdurog nito,” Tolentino told GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita.

(I am seeing a deeper reason for the harvest of corals. Those who are responsible for this have a different plan. It is not just simply harvesting corals.)

“Iyong pagpatay kasi ng corals ay prelude sa isang bagay na puwedeng gumawa ng isang, kapag pinatay mo iyon, puwede ka nang mag-reclaim,” he added.

(The destruction of corals is a prelude for reclamation. If you destroy corals, you can already do reclamation.)

On Saturday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Western Command (Wescom) said there were cases of massive coral harvesting along Rozul (Iroquios) Reef, which is within the country’s exclusive economic zone.

Wescom Commander Vice Admiral Albert Carlos said the military had sent out its divers after Chinese military militia vessels left the area “to do underwater survey.”

“And nakita namin wala na ‘yung mga corals. Nasira na ‘yung mga corals and may debris (We saw that there were no more corals. The corals were damaged and there were debris)," Carlos said.

However, Carlos said it is not yet conclusive if personnel from the Chinese vessels recently spotted in the area were indeed the ones who harvested the corals in Rozul Reef.

“Suspetsa pa lang natin (It was just our suspicion). We are not saying they [Chinese vessels] are harvesting our corals. We suspect that somebody is harvesting our corals and that means they are violating our sovereign rights,” he said.

Senate probe

Senator Risa Hontiveros, meanwhile, said that this coral harvesting issue warrants an investigation in the Senate.

“Posibleng ripe talaga ‘yun for a Senate resolution and investigation kasi it wouldn’t have been the first time na nag-environmental degradation ang Tsina sa ating dagat. They also dredge our seafloor to invent their artificial islands, militarize them within the West Philippine Sea and our exclusive economic zone para i-claim na teritoryo nila,” she said in an ANC interview.

(It’s ripe for a Senate resolution and investigation because it wouldn't have been the first time that China has caused environmental degradation in our sea. They also dredge our seafloor to invent their artificial islands, militarize them within the West Philippine Sea and our exclusive economic zone to claim it as their territory.)

The lawmaker said that this should be added up to the “long list” of what China owes to the Philippines.

In 2021, Hontiveros said China owed the Philippines more than P800 billion for the destruction of the country's natural resources amid Beijing's continued exploration of the West Philippines Sea.

'Very alarming news'

Reacting to China's alleged harvesting of coral from the WPS, Japan's Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa said on Twitter that this latest development was "very alarming news."

"Our oceans are the lifeblood of our planet, & coral reefs are its colorful heartbeats. Let's preserve & protect these vital ecosystems for generations to come," Koshikawa said.

The Chinese Embassy Manila Twitter account responded to the Japanese envoy's tweet, saying, "People should be alarmed by the spreading of such disinformation. Oceans are indeed the lifeblood of our planet. So stop the release of contaminated nuclear water from Fukushima."

Maritime law expert Jay Batongbacal on Sunday said there was also a possibility that the corals were being used by China as materials for decorations, ornaments, and jewelry.

Foul

Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri described Beijing’s alleged destruction of the coral reefs as “foul” as he called for a stop to the reported activity.

“Nakakainis ang ginagawa nila sa WPS. Pati ba naman ‘yung mga corals natin sinisira nila, hina-harvest. Saan dinadala? Hindi ko po alam,” Zubiri told reporters.

(What they did was disturbing. They were destroying and harvesting our corals. Where do they take it? I do not know.)

“We allow them the freedom of navigation pero kung sisirain nila yung coral reefs na ‘yan at wanton harvest of our marine resources, I think that’s foul,” he said.

(We allow them the freedom of navigation, but if they will damage the reefs and harvest resources wantonly, I think that’s foul.)

Zubiri also said Beijing should “respect” the marine resources.

“Sana respetuhin nila. Di man sila nagre-respeto sa ating arbitral ruling, at least irespeto naman nila ang marine resources,” he said.

(If they cannot respect the arbitral ruling, then they should respect the resources.)

“Umaapela ako sa China and Chinese Embassy to stop the wanton destruction of our coral reefs and resources in the WPS,” he added.

(I appeal to China and the Chinese Embassy to stop the wanton destruction of our coral reefs and resources in the WPS.)

Meanwhile, the Senate provided an additional P600 million in the 2024 proposed budget of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the construction of marine ranger outposts across the country, including the provinces of Pangasinan, and Palawan.

“Pinag-usapan na po namin ni Senator Loren Legarda kasama ni DENR Secretary Loyzaga, we will add P600 million… to build marine ranger stations sa iba’t ibang sulok ng Pilipinas kasama na ang WPS,” he said.

(I talked with Senator Legarda and DENR Sec. Loyzaga and we will add P600 million to build marine ranger stations across the country, including the WPS.)

“We’ll be having one of the posts in Pangasinan and Palawan. Ito po ay marine ranger stations na magbabantay sa ating karagatan. That’s already in the budget. That would be a Senate initiative so that we can put more outposts,” he added.

(We’ll be having one of the posts in Pangasinan and Palawan. These marine ranger stations will safeguard our territory and our seas. That’s already in the budget. That would be a Senate initiative so that we can put more outposts.)

“Lalagyan natin ng radio stations dyan. Para at least mabantayan nang maayos. Kasi kung hindi kawawa ang mga mangingisda. It’s going be a food security issue. Mawawalan tayo ng isda sa mga lugar na ito,” Zubiri added.

(We will put in radio stations to strengthen the security. Because if not, our fisherfolks and food security will be affected.) —with Sundy Locus/Giselle Ombay/KBK, GMA Integrated News