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Surfacing of WPS features ‘likely’ natural occurrence, not due to dumped crushed corals

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Navy (PN) said natural weather disturbances and not crushed corals reportedly being dumped into the West Philippine Sea (WPS) caused some of its features to surface.  

Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman for the WPS, said there were reports that crushed corals were being dumped particularly in Hasa-Hasa (Half Moon) Shoal, Sabina (Escoda) Shoal, and Sandy Cay near Pag-asa Island but these were reported in the past. 

“There was no noted presence of any vessel that was dumping crushed corals. The rise however of the elevation of these features could be attributed to the weather disturbances that we encountered in the past months,” Trinidad said. 

“So, tidal movement or weather disturbances usually pile up crashed corals on shallow portions of the West Philippine Sea. It is most likely attributed to a natural occurrence,” he said. 

The Philippine government has long condemned incidents of crushed corals being dumped into the WPS. Experts said such an act posed serious ecological issues as large amounts of dead coral were deliberately deposited on sandbars and shoals such as Sabina and Sandy Cay, appearing to be preparations for land reclamation or island-building activities. 

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development have long reported extensive and severe coral damage in certain WPS locations attributed to illegal activities by Chinese militia vessels.