DND: WPS coral destruction needs validation amid possible treaty violation

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Tuesday said the reported destruction of coral at the Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) was still being validated.

Teodoro explained that the destruction of corals and marine life violated an international treaty.

“We have to validate it because, according to the arbitral award, that is a violation of an international treaty, the destruction of maritime life, particularly if the coral destruction is a cause of or used for reclamation of artificial islands,” he told reporters.

After the validation, Teodoro said the DND would coordinate with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for appropriate action.

In a public briefing, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said they were working with concerned agencies to estimate the cost of the damage to corals in the WPS.

These agencies included the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and the UP Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI).

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

Tarriela said the PCG did not want to speculate on the matter.

The PCG would also need to check with marine scientists to explain what happened in Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal.

“We believe that we need the expertise of our marine scientists to explain what is happening, why these cleaned and processed corals are dumped once again in Escoda Shoal,” he said.

For his part, maritime law expert Professor Jay Batongbacal said China's reported activities may affect the livelihood of Filipino fisherfolks in the area.

“Ganyan ‘yung ginagawa nila sa Scarborough…’Yung mga fishermen natin kahit magpunta sila dun wala silang kita,” Batongbacal said in Joseph Morong’s report on “24 Oras."

“It also in a way paves or flattens the reef structure which can then later on be filled with concrete,” he added.

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

On Monday, the PCG confirmed "severe damage" to the marine environment and coral reef in the seabed at the Rozul Reef and the Escoda Shoal.

BRP Sindangan and BRP Cabra patrolled the two locations after 33 Chinese maritime militia (CMM) vessels were spotted at the Rozul Reef and 15 at the Escoda Shoal from August 9 to September 11.

“The surveys conducted in Escoda Shoal revealed visible discoloration of its seabed, strongly indicating that deliberate activities may have been undertaken to modify the natural topography of its underwater terrain,” Tarriela said.

According to Tarriela, the corals were possibly harvested, processed, and returned to the seabed. — DVM, GMA Integrated News