Risa asks Malacañang to seek reparations from China for WPS damage

Senator Risa Hontiveros has renewed her call for Malacañang to ask China to stop its supposed ecologically destructive activities in the West Philippine Sea and to pay reparations for the damage already done in the maritime area. 

Under Proposed Senate Resolution No. 85, Hontiveros urged the executive branch to exert legal and diplomatic pressure upon the Chinese government, citing reports that the latter has caused billions worth of damage to marine ecosystems within the Philippines’ continental shelf and exclusive economic zone.

The senator said that the reparations from China would help “restore and renew vulnerable marine ecosystems.” 

Last month, the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development said that at least P11.1 million worth of coral reefs in Pag-asa Reef 1 were damaged after a Chinese maritime militia vessel ran aground in the area.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla previously said that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is recommending the filing of cases against China concerning instances of extensive coral harvesting in the disputed West Philippine Sea.

Remulla said that there was a strong case to file on behalf of the Republic of the Philippines "for the sake of humanity itself." The government would also engage the top environmental lawyers in the country for potential legal action, according to him. –NB, GMA Integrated News