PH slams Chinese claims of marine damage in WPS caused by BRP Sierra Madre

The BRP Sierra Madre is seen docked at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea on November 10, 2023. FILE PHOTO/Agence France-Presse

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines on Tuesday rejected the findings of Chinese experts alleging marine damage was caused by the grounded BRP Sierra Madre in the West Philippine Sea.

NSC spokesperson Jonathan Malaya also labeled as misinformation the Chinese state tabloid Global Times’ report, which cited government-backed experts. The report claimed the grounded World War II-era warship in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal “seriously damaged the diversity, stability, and sustainability of the coral reef ecosystem in the area.”

“The accusation against the Philippines by so-called ‘Chinese experts’ is false and a classic misdirection,” Malaya said in a statement.

READ: Sue China over suspected reclamation in Escoda Shoal — Carpio

Malaya then called for third-party scientists to step in and conduct an “impartial investigation.”

“We also call for an independent, third party marine scientific assessment in the West Philippine Sea by impartial recognized experts,” Malaya said.

This year, the Philippines also conducted marine scientific research in the West Philippine Sea and their mission saw disruptions from China Coast Guard (CCG).

READ: ‘Irreparable harm’: China intrusion’s impact on West Philippine Sea ecosystem

Malaya noted that Manila has also collated evidence that Beijing has been responsible for severe damage to corals in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, Rozul (Iroquois) Reef, Escoda (Sabina) Shoal, and cays in Pagasa (Thitu) Island.

“It is China who has been found to have caused irreparable damage to corals. It is China that has caused untold damage to the maritime environment, and jeopardized the natural habitat and the livelihood of thousands of Filipino fisherfolk,” he said.

Global Times claimed that Manila is thwarting Beijing’s collection of evidence of marine destruction off Ayungin Shoal, which is only 115 nautical miles away  from mainland Palawan or well within the country’s exclusive economic zone.

The resupply mission of the BRP Sierra Madre, a naval outpost grounded in Ayungin Shoal since 1999, became one of the main flash points of tension between Manila and Beijing.

June 17 saw the most violent confrontation in the West Philippine Sea to date as CCG actions during the rotation and resupply mission for the naval outpost led to what the military deemed as “looting” of seven firearms, destruction of two navy boats, and resulting in one navy personnel losing his finger.

Beijing’s actions are in line with its assertion of sovereignty in almost the entire South China Sea — including most of the West Philippine Sea — as it continues to reject a July 2016 Arbitral Award which effectively dismissed its claims while ruling heavily in favor of Manila.