Philippines seeks P11.1 million from China over Thitu Island coral damage

THE PHILIPPINES is seeking P11.1 million in compensation from China for environmental damage allegedly caused by a Chinese vessel near Thitu Island in the contested South China Sea, a top security official said on Monday.

- By Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio Reporter

National Security Council spokesman Cornelio H. Valencia, Jr. said the South China Sea task force supports the recommendation of the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) to pursue the claim.

“This incident occurred amid heightened activity by Chinese maritime militia and Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels within the territorial sea of Pag-asa Island (Thitu Island), underscoring persistent operational concerns in the area,” he told a news briefing.

A Chinese vessel dropped anchor in shallow waters less than three kilometers from Thitu Island on June 7, damaging about 465 square meters of coral reef within Philippine waters, according to a PCSD environmental assessment.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately reply to requests for comment.

Thitu Island, which the Philippines calls Pag-asa, is part of the resource-rich Spratly Islands. It is about 12 nautical miles (22 kilometers) from China’s air and naval base at Subi Reef. It is administered by the Philippines as a part of the Kalayaan municipality of Palawan Province.