The Office of the Solicitor General has announced its consideration of filing a new complaint against China, this time related to the reported damage to corals in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
This indicates a potential legal action to address environmental concerns in the disputed region through international mechanisms, such as the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
“The OSG is in the midst of a full-blown study on our legal options regarding the West Philippine Sea, including the filing of a new complaint with the Permanent Court of Arbitration,” Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra said.
The Office of the Solicitor General has indicated that they are in the process of gathering relevant information from various sources regarding the reported damage to corals in the West Philippine Sea.
It’s worth noting that the Philippines previously filed a complaint against China in 2013, challenging China’s extensive claims in the South China Sea under its nine-dash line claim.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favor of the Philippines, invalidating China’s claim and stating that the nine-dash line had no legal basis under international law.
Indeed, China has consistently refused to recognize the ruling.
New complaints vs. China eyed amid ‘coral harvesting’
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has recommended filing cases against China regarding incidents of extensive coral harvesting in the West Philippine Sea, as Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed.
He stated that he intends to discuss this matter with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin “as soon as possible.”
“We are recommending the filing of such cases against the perpetrators of this evil act, which is the destruction of the environment. We believe it can be done. We will pursue these cases against China because it’s no longer acceptable. We have a lot of evidence,” he said.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command reported cases of extensive coral harvesting in the Rozul Reef. Vice Admiral Albert Carlos, the AFP-Western Command Commander, stated that military divers were dispatched for an underwater survey after Chinese military militia vessels vacated the area that had been heavily occupied.
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