PCG: PH contingent finished marine research in Sandy Cay

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the government’s marine scientists completed their marine scientific research in Pag-asa Island’s Sandy Cay, PCG Commodore Jay Tarriela said Friday.

The PCG had spotted a Chinese navy ship shadowing the Philippine marine research vessels on Thursday, with Chinese Coast Guard Spokesperson Gan Yu accusing the Philippines of illegally occupying Sandy Cay.

“We departed for Pag-asa island at 10:00 and we were able to complete our marine scientific research at 14:00 (2 p.m.). That means, for four hours, we were able to continue our research with our marine scientists despite the provocative actions by the Chinese Coast Guard deployed there,” Tarriela said in a press conference.

“Amid their (Chinese) dangerous maneuvers, blocking operations, and the Chinese maritime militia’s illegal presence there, we were able to complete our marine scientific research. I don’t have to ask the media to speak for the government because you know what transpired,” Tarriela added, referring to the journalists embedded in the marine scientific research mission.

The PCG performed research on Sandy Cay 1, 2, 3, and 4 with the UP Institute of Biology, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and the Department of Agriculture-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (DA-NFRDI).

Meanwhile, Tarriela said that the Philippine contingent’s marine scientific research in Pag-asa island was above board as it was accomplished within Philippine territory.

“Pag-asa Island generates a territorial sea of 12 nautical miles. This means we have sovereignty over these waters. China’s mere presence there, disrupting our research which we are lawfully conducting, is a violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS),” Tarriela said.

“They failed to recognize that they are violating our territorial sovereignty over these waters.” 

Dr. Jonathan Anticamara, for his part, said the team initially found huge mounds of rubble (coral) which were different from the rubble found in the area’s waters. 

As to whether there had been marine resource destruction, they would need more time to decide.

“Many of these piles of rubble are not the same as those underwater, and we need further observation in the laboratory. The rubble from the deep is covered in algae, but the exposed [rubble] is very white, gray corals,” Anticamara said.

“We still need to process samples [of these exposed rubble]. These are degraded rubbles, not fresh rubble. For the final report, I asked that we be given 10 to 12 days,” Anticamara added.

In September 2023, dead and crushed corals were found in Sandy Cay 2. 

Experts said this was a common Chinses procedure allegedly that precedes reclamation activities. — DVM, GMA Integrated News