The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is deeply concerned about the degradation of the marine environment and coral reefs at Rozul Reef in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
In light of this, the DFA is calling for an end to all ecological harmful activities in the country’s marine environment following the recent damage to coral reefs in the aforementioned waters.
According to DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza, they are alarmed by the significant damage caused by foreign vessels in the maritime zones of the Philippines, which was also a subject of discussion in the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea (SCS).
From August 9 to September 11, Chinese Maritime Militia vessels were spotted at Rozul Reef, also known as Iroquois Reef, and Escoda Shoal or Sabina Shoal, where damage to the coral reef was observed, as reported by the Philippine Coast Guard.
As a response, the agency will be deploying experts from the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute to conduct an underwater survey to assess the damage to marine habitats.
