Solons seek probe on 'dumping' of human waste in Philippine sea

Several lawmakers on Wednesday filed a House resolution calling for an investigation into the supposed dumping of human waste and sewage by Chinese vessels in some parts  portions of the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Makabayan Bloc solons are urging the the House Committee on Aquaculture and  Fisheries Resources, as well as the House Committee on Foreign Affairs to immediately  conduct a probe into the matter.

In the resolution, the lawmakers pointed out that the constant dumping of human waste and sewage destroys the reefs and marine life in that part of our territory. 

This destruction could lead to a decrease in food supply, which may result in global hunger as the West Philippine Sea is a source of food for migratory fish, they added.

Likewise, the lawmakers raised the concern that the resulting marine pollution would affect the livelihood of inhabitants in coastal areas spanning the WPS.

“This brazen act of Chinese vessels is a [daring] manifestation of China's utter disrespect [of] the sovereignty and landmark victory of the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea dispute,” part of the resolution reads.

Liz Derr, founder and CEO of Simularity, found that hundreds of Chinese vessels have been dumping raw sewage every day for several years on reefs in the resource-rich area, creating harmful Chlorophyll-a blooms in the waters.

It also included satellite images of the supposed dumping in the South China Sea and parts of the WPS.

Simularity specializes in geospatial analysis and provides satellite data imagery.

Derr's findings indicated that the damage brought about by the dumping of human wastes would "take decades to recover even with active mitigation."

The Department of National Defense, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said they are still verifying the report. —LBG, GMA News