Philippines Confronts China Over Coral Reef Situation

The Philippines is challenging China to open Scarborough Shoal to international scrutiny after accusing Beijing of destroying the shoal’s marine environment. Tensions have been escalating in the South China Sea as the Philippines accuses China of using water cannons and blocking maneuvers through disputed shoals and reefs.

The Scarborough Shoal, seized by China in 2012, has been a point of contention between the two countries. In 2016, a Hague arbitration tribunal ruled that Beijing’s claim to 90% of the South China Sea had no basis in international law.

“We are alarmed and worried about the situation that’s happening there,” said Philippine National Security spokesperson Jonathan Malaya. The government is considering filing a case against China over the destruction of coral reefs and the illegal harvesting of endangered marine species in the South China Sea.

Photographs taken by the Philippine coast guard show Chinese fishermen illegally harvesting giant clams, stingrays, topshells, and sea turtles, depleting the shoal’s marine environment. The coast guard spokesperson, Jay Tarriela, called it clear evidence of China’s disregard for the marine environment.

Malaya called on China to open Scarborough Shoal to international scrutiny, emphasizing the need for a third party to assess the situation. China recently published rules allowing authorities to fire on foreign vessels, a move that the Philippines sees as a scare tactic to intimidate its neighbors.

“The Philippines will not be intimidated nor coerced by the Chinese Coast Guard. We will never succumb to these scare tactics,” Malaya stated firmly. The dispute over Scarborough Shoal continues to be a flashpoint in the ongoing maritime tensions between the Philippines and China.