PH destroying Recto Bank? China is lying, says Tolentino

Sen. Francis “Tol” N. Tolentino expresses alarm over China’s new law that allows its coast guard to fire on foreign vessels during a privilege speech he delivered on January 26, 2021. FILE PHOTO / Senate PRIB

MANILA, Philippines — “They are lying.”

Senator Francis Tolentino said this on Monday when he refuted China’s accusation that the Philippines is destroying Recto Bank by placing payaos in the area.

Two fishing boats accompanied by Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) dropped payaos in Rozul Reef on April 4.

However, Rozul Reef is well within the Philippine economic zone. It is located in the southernmost part of Recto Bank, about 237 km northwest of Palawan province.

READ: PCG: China Coast Guard harasses PH boats yet again

“Mas marami na silang sinira. Kailan naman sila naging environment friendly? Ginawa nga nilang airstrip ‘yung Fiery Cross at saka Mischief Reef — mas marami na silang nasira. Siguro wala silang karapatan magsabi na nakakasira tayo sa kalikasan. Sila ang nakasira sa kalikasan,” said Tolentino, chairperson of the Senate panel on maritime and admiralty zones, in a press briefing after he was asked what his reaction to China’s allegation.

(They have destroyed more. When did they become environmentally friendly? They did turn Fiery Cross into an airstrip and then Mischief Reef — they destroyed more. Maybe they don’t have the right to say we are destroying nature. They are the ones who destroyed nature.)

“Sabina Shoal — for example. Sandy Cay, ‘di ba nakita naman ng nga UP Marine Scientists na iba na ang kulay – discoloration na. ‘Di ba pinakita ko sa inyo ang litrato noong mga nakaraang panahon? They are lying,” he emphasized.

(Sabina Shoal — for example. Sandy Cay, didn’t the UP Marine Scientists see that the color is different – discoloration? ‘Didn’t I show you a photo from a long time ago? They are lying.)

China’s sweeping claim over the West Philippine Sea, including Recto Bank and Rozul Reef, has long been dismissed by an arbitral tribunal.

In 2013, the Philippines challenged China’s assertions before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands.  It ruled overwhelmingly in favor of the Philippines in 2016. Despite this ruling, Chinese maritime assets continue to swarm and assert aggression in the territory.