The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) is studying the legal options that the national government may take following the reported damages to the marine ecosystem and coral reefs in Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
In a statement on Wednesday, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra said his office is presently finding facts and gathering data on the reported massive coral harvesting in the aforementioned areas where Chinese vessels frequently swarmed.
“[E]ventually we shall evaluate the merits of each and every legal option, including the possible filing of a complaint for damages before an international tribunal with proper jurisdiction, such as the permanent court of arbitration at the hague,” he said.
Guevarra, however, noted that they are carefully studying the legal options as this will have a “potential impact” on the country’s long-term national interest.
UPDATE: Iniulat ni Solicitor General Guevarra na pinag-aaralan nila ang iba't ibang legal option ukol sa posibilidad ng pagsasampa ng kaso laban sa China sa international tribunal dahil sa serye ng mga isyu sa West Philippine Sea | RH29 @boy_gonzales #SamaSamaTayoPilipino pic.twitter.com/uIhcW5wsRp
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) September 20, 2023
On Tuesday, Senator Risa Hontiveros called on China to pay the billions of environmental damages it owes the Philippines for causing harm to the marine ecosystem and coral reefs in the WPS.
She made the call in her newly filed resolution wherein she directed a Senate Committee to conduct an inquiry into the massive coral harvesting and destruction at Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal as earlier reported by the Armed Forces of the Philippines - Western Command (WESCOM) and confirmed by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
