Vandals hit coral reef in Lapu-Lapu City

Underwater graffiti were found in a coral reef in Lapu-Lapu City by Task Force Kalikasan (TFK), according to a report on “24 Oras” on Tuesday.

Words were shown to be chemically etched on several plate corals at Brgy. Maribago's Kontiki Wall, the report said.

Several of the writings were in hangul, the native writing language of Koreans, while many of the words feature names of various divers, it added.



According to TFK officers, the chemicals used to vandalize the corals have harmful elements that may affect marine life beyond the coral lines.

An arm of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, TFK urged both local and foreign divers to refrain from vandalizing the reefs.

Kontiki Island is a popular diving spot located in Mactan, Cebu. Diving site Dive Scotty lists table corals, sea fans, and neptune cups as commonly found coral formations in the area. — Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News