Image Courtesy of: PTV News
By: Junex Doronio
FOR BEING RESPONSIBLE IN CORAL REEF DESTRUCTION, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has revealed that the Philippines will file environmental cases against China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA).
Remulla issued the announcement just days after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported the severe damage inflicted by Chinese operations on the marine environment of Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal, both parts of the Philippine exclusive economic zone.
“We will pursue these cases against China since we already have a lot of evidence,” Remulla said.
He added that discussions on the matter were ongoing with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.
However, Remulla clarified that the filing of the complaint has no connection with the Philippines’ territorial dispute with China.
This developed as Senator Risa Hontiveros said China should pay environmental damages for the destruction of the reef ecosystems in the West Philippine Sea.
In his estimate, Dr. Deo Onda, a scientist from the University of the Philippines’ Marine Science Institute, said the Philippines was losing around P33.1 billion annually from the damaged reef ecosystems in Panatag Shoal and Spratlys Islands due to China’s reclamation activities.
“We should seek payment for damages caused by China in the WPS. We could obtain billions [of pesos] if we can obligate China to pay [damages],” Hontiveros noted. (ai/mnm)
