PH agencies probe China’s use of dredged sand in WPS reclamation–Palace

The Chinese sand carrier MV Hong Hai 16 lies capsized off the coast of Rizal town in Occidental Mindoro province on April 15 while reportedly dredging sand. (Photo courtesy of the Philippine Coast Guard)

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Tuesday confirmed that a full investigation is underway into reports that sand dredged from various parts of the Philippines is being used in China’s reclamation activities in the West Philippine Sea.

In a press briefing, Palace spokesperson Claire Castro said the probe—ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.—is being coordinated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, in partnership with the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency and the Philippine Coast Guard.

“This is now the subject of an ongoing investigation. We cannot divulge specific details at this point because the issues are quite sensitive,” Castro said in response to a reporter’s query. “But the DENR is already coordinating with NICA and the Philippine Coast Guard.”

Castro added that violators may face legal consequences under Republic Act No. 7942, or the Philippine Mining Act, and Republic Act No. 120641, also known as the Philippine Maritime Zones Act.

WPS reclamation

Marcos ordered Wednesday last week a thorough probe after NICA revealed that sand from the country’s coastal areas was allegedly being transported and used by Chinese firms for reclamation works in the contested West Philippine Sea.

Reports indicate that the NICA’s investigation spans multiple dredging and reclamation sites across the country. These include operations in Manila Bay and massive Chinese-led dredging along the Cagayan River in northern Luzon.

In Cagayan province, environmental groups and local fisherfolk have long criticized the dredging operations, blaming them for coastal erosion, declining fish catch, and economic displacement in towns such as Aparri.

On Mindoro Island, dredging has been conducted off the shores of Gloria in Oriental Mindoro, and in the towns of Mamburao and Rizal in Occidental Mindoro. Local officials have maintained that these activities are for flood control and desiltation, but critics fear they may also be linked to the broader issue of sand extraction for foreign reclamation.

Calapan opposes sand mining

Meanwhile,  the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Calapan has passed a resolution formally opposing dredging and sand mining in the city’s rivers and coastal barangays.

Citing threats to marine biodiversity, increased disaster risk, and harm to local livelihoods, the council warned that the activities endanger designated Marine Protected Areas in villages like Maidlang and Silonay.

“The irreversible environmental and social harm caused by unregulated dredging and sand mining far outweighs any short-lived economic gain,” the resolution read.