China on corals: Philippines creating political drama from fiction

MANILA, Philippines — It’s the grounded BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal that is causing “irrevocable harm” to the marine environment, according to China, as it denied clearing Rozul Reef of its corals, saying the Philippines is “creating a political drama from fiction.”

“If the Philippines truly cares about the ecological environment of the South China Sea, it should tow away the illegally ‘grounded’ warship at Ren’ai Jiao (Ayungin Shoal) as soon as possible, stop it from discharging polluted water into the ocean and not let the rusting warship bring irrevocable harm to the ocean,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Thursday, referring to Ayungin Shoal by its name assigned by Beijing.

The BRP Sierra Madre is a World War II-era transport ship deliberately beached in 1994 in Ayungin Shoal to serve as an outpost for a handful of Marines tasked to guard and protect the country’s interests in the West Philippine Sea.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) discovered the destruction of corals in Rozul Reef after the departure of more than a dozen Chinese vessels from the area, which is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

“The Philippines’ accusations have no factual basis. We urge relevant party of the Philippines to stop creating a political drama from fiction,” Mao said.

China issued the statement after the Philippines announced plans to file complaints before an international court to hold China accountable for environmental depredation.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it is awaiting an assessment of relevant agencies on the environmental damage to Rozul Reef and is prepared to support state lawyers in filing a case against China.

“Article 192 of UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on