By Priam Nepomuceno | Philippine News Agency
Coral reefs in Pag-asa Reef 1 have sustained environmental damage due to the grounding of a Chinese ship there last month, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) said Monday.
In a statement expressing concern over the incident, NTF-WPS said the Chinese vessel with bow number 16868 remained grounded in the area for nearly three hours before it managed to free itself without assistance.
NTF-WPS said, “It was later [escorted] out of the area by the China Coast Guard (CCG) and two other Chinese vessels.”
The task force added, “While it did not run aground directly on the coral reef, the vessel’s anchoring activity caused significant damage to the surrounding reef area.”
Reef 1 lies 2.6 km. east of Pag-asa Island. NTF-WPS said the incident occurred on June 7 amid heightened activity by Chinese maritime militia and CCG vessels within Pag-asa Island’s territorial sea, underscoring persistent operational concerns in the area.
The task force said, “The vigilance of our coastal communities, as demonstrated by the timely report from a local fisherfolk, remains vital in safeguarding our marine resources. Their lived experience at sea reflects not only environmental risks but also daily threats to their safety, livelihood, and dignity.”
In line with this, NTF-WPS supports the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development’s recommendations on reef rehabilitation and the enforcement of environmental accountability under Philippine law.
The task force concluded, “We remain committed to safeguarding the West Philippine Sea, preserving our marine ecosystems, and upholding the well-being of the communities that depend on them.” (PNA)
