PH says evidence of China's hand in Bajo de Masinloc destruction 'clear, convincing'

The National Security Council (NSC) on Tuesday said there is "clear and convincing" evidence of China's alleged hand in the environmental destruction of Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea.

“The PCG (Philippine Coast Guard) has presented clear and convincing evidence that since 2016, it has observed Chinese fishermen transporting large quantities of giant clams, sea turtles, puffer fishes, stingrays, topshells, eels, and other marine animals," NSC spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said in a statement.

Malaya issued the statement after Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin denied the allegation that China is involved in the environmental destruction of Bajo de Masinloc.

According to Malaya, China's denial was "expected."

Wang made the denial when asked during a press conference in Beijing on Monday about the reported growing consensus within the Philippine government on filing a case against China over the destruction of coral reefs, including the harvesting of endangered giant clams, in Bajo de Masinloc.

"If any environmental degradation appears in those waters, it is the Philippines who needs to reflect on its behavior, instead of wrongly accusing China," Wang had said.

Malaya pointed out that even the Arbitral Tribunal said in its decision that Chinese authorities knew Chinese fishermen had harvested these species in the South China Sea.

Quoting the decision, Malaya said, "The Tribunal also found that Chinese authorities were aware that Chinese fishermen have harvested endangered sea turtles, coral, and giant clams on a substantial scale in the South China Sea (using methods that inflict severe damage on the coral reef environment) and had not fulfilled their obligations to stop such activities."

Under the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Faura (CITES), giant clams, among others, are declared protected species.

Malaya once again challenged China to open up Bajo de Masinloc to international inspection and call on third-party inspectors from relevant United Nations bodies or respected environmental organizations to probe the situation in Bajo de Masinloc.

The Philippines secured a landmark victory in 2016 a case against China that concluded Beijing's claim to sovereignty over most of the South China Sea has no basis under international law.

China has refused to recognize the ruling. —KBK, GMA Integrated News