Philippines Monitors China's Reclamation 75 Miles from Palawan, Cites Coral Damage

May 13, 2024, 03:45 AM

The Philippine Coast Guard has reported ongoing small-scale reclamation activities by China at Sabina Shoal, also known as Escoda Shoal, located just 75 nautical miles from Palawan in the South China Sea. This activity, identified in a maritime assessment in March, has caused significant environmental damage, including severe degradation of coral reefs on nearby Pag-asa Island. The presence of debris suggests that the damage is man-made. Additionally, the Coast Guard has observed numerous Chinese ships in the area, with 7 ships at Escoda Shoal, 16 at Pag-asa Island, 8 at Panganiban Reef, and 14 at Ayungin Shoal. The Philippines has vowed to maintain a presence in the disputed area to prevent further reclamation efforts by China.