PCG eyes new maritime patrol, underwater survey with marine scientists

CNN Philippines

The Coast Guard is planning another patrol and underwater survey, this time with marine biologists and other scientists after discovering "severe damage" inflicted in Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.  Tristan Nodalo reports.  Visit our website for more #NewsYouCanTrust: https://www.cnnphilippines.com/  Follow our social media pages:  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CNNPhilippines • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cnnphilippines/ • Twitter: https://twitter.com/cnnphilippines

Transcript

00:00 The Philippine Coast Guard shares its recent underwater survey footage showing extensive

00:06 damage in the West Philippine Sea.

00:09 These images of destruction were captured from August 9 to September 11 on the seabeds

00:13 of Brozul Reef and Escudachol.

00:16 But the Coast Guard also observes something rather peculiar.

00:19 "There are some crushed corals that were dumped.

00:23 And seemingly, it was cleaned first before it was dumped."

00:27 Brozul or Iroquois Reef can be found south of Recto Bank, an area considered to be rich

00:31 in oil and gas resources, while Escudachol or Sabina Shoal is the main take-off point

00:36 for Philippine vessels during Iungin resupplying missions.

00:40 During the survey, close to 50 Chinese maritime militia ships have been spotted.

00:44 "During this period, from August 9 to September 11, we did not see any other fishing vessels

00:52 there, only Chinese maritime militia vessels."

00:56 But the Coast Guard says no direct link for now if these maritime militia vessels are

01:00 the culprit in the massive destruction of the reef and the shoal.

01:03 "If you're going to ask me if we have any Chinese maritime militia vessels that were

01:10 killed by corals or whatever activities they were doing there, we don't have any.

01:15 But in terms of circumstances, that's the only thing we are sure for now."

01:24 Maritime law expert Jay Batong-Bacal was not surprised over this discovery.

01:27 "Since 2013, we've been discovering that the reefs were actually accelerating as a

01:33 prelude to their reclamation activities on their artificial island."

01:37 He adds, apart from reclamation, the raw materials from the sea can be used in making jewelry.

01:43 But the worst part is its possible impact on livelihood.

01:46 "That area contributes up to 27 to 30 percent of our captured fishery.

01:51 So that's going to be a huge blow on our food security."

02:00 Fishermen in Zambales have witnessed a number of destructive sea activities committed by

02:03 foreigners in the West Philippine Sea.

02:06 "They destroyed the corals there and they are taking the giant clams.

02:11 And because of this, the fishery has been destroyed.

02:15 Our fish have been destroyed."

02:18 The PCG says as much as they want consistent patrols in the West Philippine Sea, they only

02:22 have limited resources.

02:24 It's also not easy to disperse the number of militia vessels.

02:27 "The only thing that we can do is to challenge their presence through radio, to document

02:33 their presence, to tell them through radio as well, informing them that they are supposed

02:39 to leave."

02:40 The PCG is setting up another patrol and underwater survey, but this time with marine biologists

02:45 and scientist Tristan Udalo, CNN Philippines.

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