On 18 September 2023, Monday the Philippine Coast Guard said and supported the report from Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command (WESCOM) that their surveys have revealed “extensive” damage to the seabed in Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal areas where Chinese Maritime Militia frequently do illegal activities that damages the marine environment and coral reefs of the said areas.
The PCG monitored approximately Thirty-three (33) CMM vessels in the vicinity of Rozul Reef and Fifteen (15) in Escoda Shoal from August 09 to September 11, 2023. The BRP SINDANGAN (MRRV 4407) and BRP CABRA (MRRV 4409) were carried out in the same period and verified the presence of these Chinese maritime militias in the said West Philippine Sea features.
In the said WPS features, the PCG conducted an extensive underwater survey in Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal. Upon surveying the areas the discoloration of the seabed indicates a deliberate modifying of its natural topography and its underwater terrain. The presence of crushed corals strongly suggests a potential act of dumping, possibly involving the same dead corals that were previously processed and cleaned before being returned to the seabed.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for West Philippine Sea matters, said that the underwater surveys of the seabed in Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal that the maritime ecosystem there “appeared lifeless, with minimal to no signs of life.” he added “The continued swarming for indiscriminate illegal and destructive fishing activities of the Chinese maritime militia in Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal may have directly caused the degradation and destruction of the marine environment in the WPS features.”
The PCG emphasizes the importance of protecting and preserving our marine environment, which plays a crucial role in sustaining marine life and supporting local communities.