Paga-asa Island Philippines Picture from Pixabay Courtesy of bizarreaudio
A Chinese maritime militia vessel caused an estimated ₱11 million (US$194,000) worth of damage to coral reefs near Pag-asa Island in Palawan, after its parachute anchor was found to have dragged across the reef, marine scientists and Philippine authorities confirmed on July 14.
There are suspicions that the damage may have been deliberate.
The vessel, identified by bow number 16868, reportedly came close to running aground at Pag-asa Reef 1 — located approximately 2.6 kilometers east of Pag-asa Island — on June 7. It remained stranded for nearly three hours before managing to free itself, according to the National Security Council.
In response to the incident, a joint underwater damage assessment was carried out on June 17 by the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD), Western Philippines University, and the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development.
Marine biologists and divers discovered a parachute anchor left behind by the vessel, embedded nine meters deep in the seabed. The assessment concluded that the coral damage was caused by the dragging of the sea anchor and/or its line across the reef.
Completely destroyed
“We estimate that around 30 percent of the impacted area was damaged. And the yellow polygon, the anchor area, that is totally damaged,” said PCSD’s field biologist Mark Ace Dela Cruz during a press briefing held at the West Philippine Sea Transparency Office in Manila on July 14.
He noted that the team observed clear signs of damage, including shattered fragments of branching corals and chipped sections of massive coral formations.
According to the team’s report, the reef area where the anchor was deployed sustained damage covering 307.75 square meters. An additional 157.21 square meters of surrounding reef was also affected, bringing the total damaged area to 464.96 square meters.
Pag-asa Reef 1 is located within the Kalayaan Island Group, which falls under the jurisdiction of Palawan province. Pag-asa Island has long been a hotspot for maritime tensions due to the persistent presence of Chinese maritime militia vessels and the China Coast Guard (CCG) in the area.
Operational risks
In a separate statement issued on July 14, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea confirmed that the Chinese fishing vessel remained grounded near the reef for nearly three hours before eventually departing the area without assistance.
It was later escorted away by the China Coast Guard, along with two accompanying Chinese vessels.
“While it did not run aground directly on the coral reef, the vessel’s anchoring activity caused significant damage to the surrounding reef area,” the task force noted.
According to the task force, the incident took place amid increased activity by Chinese maritime militia and China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels within the territorial waters of Pag-asa Island. It highlighted the ongoing operational risks and security threats posed by these incursions.
“The vigilance of our coastal communities, as demonstrated by the timely report from a local fisherfolk, remains vital in safeguarding our marine resources. Their lived experience at sea reflects not only environmental risks but also daily threats to their safety, livelihood, and dignity,” the task force said.
It expressed support for the PCSD’s recommendations on reef rehabilitation and called for the enforcement of environmental accountability under Philippine law.
“We remain committed to safeguarding the West Philippine Sea, preserving our marine ecosystems, and upholding the well-being of the communities that depend on them,” it added.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on West Philippine Sea matters, revealed that many Chinese vessels have shifted from using traditional anchors to parachute-style anchors.
Tarriela raised concerns over this change, pointing out that unlike conventional anchors, parachute anchors can drag along the seabed, inflicting serious damage to coral reefs.
In a related development, the Department of Justice announced last year that it was preparing a legal case against China over widespread coral reef destruction linked to its reclamation and dredging activities in areas like Escoda Shoal and nearby cays near Pag-asa Island—both located within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea.
As environmental and geopolitical tensions continue to rise in the region, Philippine authorities are renewing their call for international attention and cooperation.
Marine scientists warn that the destruction of coral reefs—among the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth—not only endangers countless marine species but also undermines the livelihoods and food security of Filipino communities dependent on fishing and coastal resources.
