At a media briefing in Camp Aguinaldo on Monday, April 20, AFP chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. shows the latest satellite images of massive reclamation activities by China in the disputed islands in the West Philippine Sea. Catapang said China’s ‘aggressiveness’ in the area is raising worries, particularly because the said structures have become ‘massive.’ Catapang has called on China to stop its reclamation works in the area. (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – As it called on China to stop its reclamation activities in the disputed South China Sea, the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Monday said the “massive” constructions being done in the region are causing extensive damage to the environment there.
At a press conference, AFP chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said, “China’s claim that its activities have not caused damaged to the ecological environment in the area is not acceptable.”
“Massive Chinese reclamation activities are causing irreversible and widespread damage to the biodiversity and ecological balance in the West Philippine Sea,” he said.
Included in the damage is the destruction of 300 hectares of coral reef systems, which “is estimated to lead to economic losses to coastal states valued at $100 million annually.”
Catapang also pointed out that China “has tolerated environmentally harmful fishing practices by its fishermen” at Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough/Panatag Shoal).
Bajo de Masinloc lies 124 nautical miles from Masinloc, Zambales, and 472 nautical miles from China’s nearest land mass of Hainan province.
“These bad fishing practices are violations under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Convention on Biodiversity, and the Convention on International Trade,” he said.
He also said they are “saddened” by reports that China drove away Filipino fishermen there, as well as in other reclamation sites.
“It denies our people of their own fishing areas that are their sources of livelihood,” he said.
He pointed out, however, that escorting Filipino fishermen back to these fishing areas is “more civilian in nature” and will primarily be led by the Philippine Coast Guard.
“In the future, we need to help our fishermen get back there… the Coast Guard will have to escort them. [Sending the] gray ship unnecessarily provokes the other side,” he said.
Also on Monday, the AFP called on China to “stop its reclamation activities” in the West Philippine Sea.
Catapang said China’s “aggressiveness” in its reclamation activities in the area is raising worries, particularly because the said structures have become “massive.” (MNS)