Just two years ago, the South China Sea and the Philippines boasted vibrant reefs teeming with colorful marine life. Now, these once-thriving ecosystems lie in ruins, with crushed corals as far as the eye can see. The Philippines has pointed the finger at China’s elusive maritime militia as the culprit behind this environmental disaster, igniting yet another public dispute in the volatile region.
Videos released by the Philippine Coast Guard reveal extensive damage to the Rozul (Iroquios) Reef and Sabina (Escoda) Shoal, both within the Philippines’ internationally recognized exclusive economic zone. Despite international rulings and competing territorial claims, China asserts control over much of the South China Sea, including these areas.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, the coast guard spokesperson, cited underwater surveys revealing “visible discoloration” indicative of deliberate efforts to alter the natural terrain. He implicates the Chinese Maritime Militia in illegal and destructive fishing activities that may have caused the environmental degradation.
Between August and September, the coast guard tracked numerous Chinese vessels near these reefs. Tarriela suggests that the presence of crushed corals suggests potential dumping activities, possibly using the same corals previously harvested.
China has refuted these allegations, calling them “false and groundless.” Despite an international tribunal’s ruling in favor of the Philippines in 2016, China continues to expand its presence in the South China Sea, further challenging its neighbors’ sovereignty.
The recent damage to coral reefs is a stark contrast to the vibrant ecosystems observed just two years ago. Environmental experts emphasize the dire consequences of coral harvesting and unregulated fishing in the region, prompting concerns about China’s militarization plans through land reclamation.
The Philippines’ calls for transparency in China’s activities have garnered international support, with U.S. and Japanese ambassadors expressing alarm over the destruction of marine resources. China, in response, points to its own concerns about ecological damage and calls for the removal of Philippine warships in disputed areas.
Under the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Philippines has increasingly publicized its findings in the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, earning domestic and international support for its stance.
