On Monday, the Philippines challenged China to permit an international inspection of the disputed Scarborough Shoal, as per a report by the Philippine’s official news agency. The request was put forth in a press conference helmed by Jonathan Malaya, the assistant director general of the National Security Council (NSC), and Jay Tarriela, the spokesperson for the Philippines Coast Guard (PCG). The Chinese authorities were accused of causing environmental damage around the shoal, particularly to the coral reefs.
In Jonathan Malaya’s words:
In the face of China’s repeated denials, we call on China to open up Bajo de Masinloc to international inspection and we also call on third-party inspectors from relevant United Nations bodies or respected environmental organizations to determine the true situation therein in order to protect the environment
The allegations by the Philippines are based on “incontrovertible proof” presented by PCG. The evidence includes the transport of harvested giant clams, a protected species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and other marine wildlife from the Scarborough Shoal. Furthermore, it has been alleged that China is damaging the surrounding coral reefs by continuing their pursuit of giant clams on the seabed.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration rejected China’s sovereignty claim over the South China Sea, declaring that the claims lacked legal foundation under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The court also determined that China had caused “irreparable harm” to the South China Sea’s marine environment through its actions.
For more in-depth information on the subject, visit the original report from JURIST – News.