The DFA, meanwhile, says that even as it awaits assessments on the damage to Rozul Reef, it is ‘ready to contribute’ to any plans of the Office of the Solicitor General
MANILA, Philippines – China on Thursday, September 21, criticized the Philippines for considering taking Beijing court over damage to the marine ecosystem in areas within Manila’s exclusive economic zone .
In a statement late Thursday evening, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said that even as it was “awaiting our relevant agencies’ assessment of the environmental damage in Rozul Reef,” it is “ready to contribute to this effort and will be guided by the [Office of the Solicitor General] on these matters.”
On September 16, the Armed Forces of the Philippines raised alarm over what it suspected to be massive coral harvesting in Rozul Reef, located in the West Philippine Sea. Two days later, the Philippine Coast Guard backed that claim and released video from underwater surveys of the area. Mao also brought up the BRP Sierra Madre, in her criticism of Manila. “If the Philippines truly cares about the ecological environment of the South China Sea, it should tow away the illegally ‘grounded’ warship at Ren’ai Jiao as soon as possible, stop it from discharging polluted water into the ocean and not let the rusting warship bring irrevocable harm to the ocean,” she said. Ren’ai Jiao is China’s term for Ayungin Shoal.