The United States on Tuesday denounced the alleged coral-clearing activities of China in Rozul Reef (Iroquois Reef) and Escoda Shoal (Sabina Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea.
In a tweet, US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson described the reported coral destruction in the West Philippine Sea as "troubling," stressing that it would have adverse effects on the livelihood of people who depend on their life on the sea.
"Habitat damage harms ecosystems and negatively affects lives and livelihoods," Carlson said.
"We are working with our #FriendsPartnersAllies to protect the Philippines' natural resources," she added.
Carlson is referring to the massive coral harvesting in Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal which are all within the 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.
Over the weekend, the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command reported that there was massive coral harvesting in Rozul Reef.
The report of missing and destroyed corals came following the sightings of Chinese maritime militia vessels in the area.
The report was confirmed by the Philippine Coast Guard, which found similar observations in the seabed of Escoda Shoal.
Citing China's "playbook," Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri suspected that the destruction of the shoal's seabed could be in preparation for reclamation activities in the area.
"It's possible. That has been their guidebook and playbook since the beginning where they want to destroy an area first and then they reclaim it. That's why we have to remain vigilant," Zubiri said in a statement.
Senator Francis Tolentino, who chairs the Senate Special Committee on Maritime and Admiralty Zones, echoed the Senate chief's observation.
"There might be a different plan for that – not only the harvesting of corals and the destruction of it. Because killing the corals is a prelude to one thing: when you kill it, you can now do reclamation," Tolentino said.