Philippines Accuses Chinese Maritime Militia of Severely Damaging Coral Reef

A U.S. satellite imagery showed that at least 35 Chinese fishing and militia vessels continued operating within Iroquois Reef on Sept. 17.

Personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard ship BRP Malabrigo aboard their rigid hull inflatable boat preparing to conduct a survey in the waters of Second Thomas shoal in the Spratly Islands in the disputed South China Sea on April 23, 2023. Red Ajibe/AFP via Getty Images

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Monday that Chinese maritime militia ships were responsible for the “severe damage” on coral reefs within Philippine territorial waters in the South China Sea.

This follows a report by the Philippine military accusing Chinese militia of destroying corals in the seabed of Rozul Reef (also known as Iroquois Reef) and Escoda Shoal, which are within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).