Photo Screenshot from: Philippine Coast Guard‘s Facebook Video
By Junex Doronio
STRESSING THAT HABITAT DAMAGE harms ecosystems, US Ambassador Mary Kay Carlson on Tuesday expressed concern on the reported destruction of the seabed at Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) describing it as “troubling.”
“We are working with our #FriendsPartnersAllies to protect [Philippine] natural resources,” Carlson said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
It was gathered that the US this month turned over a P250-million training facility in Bulacan to the Coast Guard, where personnel would be taught navigation, law enforcement and ship maintenance.
On Monday, September 18, a furious Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri asked China to respect and protect coral reefs which takes hundreds of years to breed following reports that some Chinese vessels were engaged in massive illegal harvesting of corals in Rozul Reef located within the Philippines’ EEZ.
For its part, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) also said it is seriously concerned about reports of destruction of corals in Rozul Reef.
Without mentioning China, the DFA called on “everyone concerned” to act responsibly and cease all activities that can damage the marine environment. (ai/mnm)