Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Former National Security Adviser Roilo Golez wrote to the United Nations (UN) on Wednesday (October 7) to have China’s reclamation activities in the West Philippine Sea investigated.
In a letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and Environment Programme Executive Director Archim Steiner, Golez said China’s activities on the disputed islands are causing irreparable damage to the coral reefs in the area — particularly on Mischief Reef, which he said is inside the Philippine’s exclusive economic zone.
He estimated about 3,000 hectares have been damaged, affecting around 300 million people who depend on the West Philippine Sea for food.
Golez added that 10 percent of global fish stocks also come from the West Philippine Sea.
“They are destroying the coral reefs there… This is a major damage to the environment,” he said.
Golez urged the UN to stop China’s activities which have been causing damage to the global ecosystem.
“The UN and UN Environment Programme are both mandated to protect our environment,” he added.
Last month, world leaders who attended the UN General assembly approved 17 sustainable development goals.. which includes the protection of marine and terrestrial ecosystems. China’s President Xi Jinping was among the attendees.
