The destruction of corals in the West Philippine Sea purportedly committed by China should not be downplayed by the Philippine government, Senator Francis Tolentino said Wednesday.

In a television interview, Tolentino, who chairs the Senate Special Committee on Maritime and Admiralty Zones, warned the coral destruction "might mean something bigger."

To clear suspicions of the possible reason for destroying the corals at Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal, he said a scientific study must be conducted to determine the cause of the discoloration of the seabed in the area.

"Get some samples and probably have it validated by a scientific organization, a maritime institute, for instance, to really show the difference whether this was a mere discoloration or a natural thing," Tolentino said.

"But again, subject to proof it might mean several things, not just the selling and crushing of corals which are natural habitats of our fish, but it might, the prelude word was used, it might mean something bigger," he said.

Earlier, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said the coral destruction in the WPS could be part of China's preparation for reclamation activities in the area.

"That has been their guidebook and playbook since the beginning where they destroy an area first and then they reclaim it," Zubiri said.

"That's why we have to remain vigilant," he added.

The governments of the Philippines, the United States, and Japan have condemned the incident which they said would affect the livelihood of the people who depend on the sea for their livelihood.

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Tolentino said he is eyeing the passage of a Philippine Maritime Zones bill by the end of the year in a bid to strengthen the country's claims in the West Philippine Sea.

He noted that the Philippines is the only country that has yet to have a Maritime Zone Law despite its 2016 arbitral victory against China in the Permanent Court of Arbitration.