The Department of Justice (DOJ) is recommending the filing of cases against China concerning instances of extensive coral harvesting in the disputed West Philippine Sea, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Tuesday.
Over the weekend, the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command reported the discovery of missing corals after Chinese military militia vessels left the Rozul Reef.
Remulla said he would discuss the matter with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin “as soon as possible.”
“We are recommending the filing of such cases against the perpetrators of this evil act, which is the destruction of the environment,” Remulla said.
“We believe it can be done. We will pursue these cases against China because it’s no longer acceptable. We have a lot of evidence,” he added.
Remulla said that even without a territorial dispute, “the destruction of the environment is a sin against humanity.”
He expressed that it’s a strong case to file on behalf of the Republic of the Philippines for the sake of humanity itself.
Remulla said the government would engage the top environmental lawyers in the country for the potential legal action.
“This has been happening for many years, but the documentation started a couple of years ago, and in the last few months, we obtained more documentation,” Remulla said.
“So the matter is ripe for the filing of a case in international tribunals,” he added.
In 2013, the Philippines contested China’s legal basis for its extensive claim in the South China Sea before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands.
Manila won the case in a landmark award in 2016 when the tribunal invalidated Beijing’s claims. —NB, GMA Integrated News
