The Philippines can file a case against foreign perpetuator in the reported massive coral harvesting in Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal which are both located within the West Philippine Sea, Senator Francis 'Tol' Tolentino said on Monday.
Speaking to the reporters in the Senate, Tolentino said the case can be filed before the International Court of Arbitration, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).
"Sa international court of justice, it would be the Philippines versus kung sino man. Kung China iyon, the Philippines versus China," he said.
"Sa ITLOS, pwedeng private party, pwedeng international NGOs [non-government organization] ang mag-file against the violators. Ang makukuha diyan ay damages," Tolentio added.
According to the Senator, the reported coral harvesting may be connected to reclamation activities suspected executed by China.
Holding a satellite photo of the reefs in the WPS, Tolentino pointed out that the colors in the waters in Escoda Shoal have drastically changed.
“Makikita niyo po magkaiba na yung kulay sa ilalim ng Escoda [Shoal]. Ibig sabihin may ipinatong na materyales sa ilalim na kakaiba sa natural elements nya. Hindi ito ordinaryong swarming lang. May ginagawa. May patutunguhan,” he said.
“Mayroon akong nakikita pa rito mas malalim na ginagawa kaya nagkakaroon ng ganyan. May ibang plano siguro diyan ang gumagawa niyan. Hindi lang iyong pagkuha ng corals at pagdurog nito,” the Senator added.
Meanwhile, Tolentino maintained that Escoda is within the country's exclusive economic zone as it is 200 nautical miles from Palawan passage.
"So ayon sa ating nilagdaan sa UNCLOS [United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea], dapat pangalagaan natin ang ating mineral resources kasama yung mga coral reefs. Atin iyan," he said.
