Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 8) — Senators have voiced their concerns over the Manila Bay reclamation project involving a Chinese company linked to building artificial islands in the South China Sea.
In a video posted on Facebook Tuesday, Sen. Risa Hontiveros said China is not a friend of the Philippines, saying no friend would hurt or abuse another.
“Isa sa mga dapat nating gawin ay ang i-ban na itong Chinese state-owned company na nagngangalang Chinese Communication Construction Co. o CCCC sa ating bansa,” she said.
“May kasaysayan ito ng pakikisabwatan sa Chinese maritime militia para sirain ang mga coral reefs sa West Philippine Sea. Napag-alaman din natin na itong kumpanya ay kasama sa mga nagtayo ng artificial militarized islands sa ating karagatan,” the senator added.
[Translation: One of the things that we should do is ban this Chinese state-owned company named Chinese Communication Construction Co. or CCCC from the country. This company has a history of working with the Chinese maritime militia to destroy coral reefs in the West Philippine Sea and in building artificial militarized islands in our ocean.]
The US Embassy earlier released a statement over the reclamation project, saying CCCC was added to the US Department of Commerce’s Entity List for helping build the artificial islands.
“The company has also been cited by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank for engaging in fraudulent business practices,” it added.
In a separate statement, Sen. JV Ejercito said the Philippine Coast Guard and the Navy should check the reclamation project.
These are manned by Chinese, it is not farfetched that some PLA (People’s Liberation Army) intel might be on board these vessels,” he said.
Ejercito said being at Manila Bay, they were getting too close.
Environmental groups also voiced their concern, saying it was alarming that CCCC was operating in “plain sight.”
“It is quite alarming that the very same company wrecking ecosystems in the West Philippine Sea is operating right here, legally, in plain sight in Manila Bay,” said Jon Bonifacio, national coordinator of Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment. “This is an insult not only to our natural heritage, but also to our national sovereignty.”
Kalikasan PNE called for the suspension of CCCC’s operation and asked for a moratorium on all ongoing reclamation projects in Manila Bay as well as other parts of the country.
RELATED: DENR eyes possibly halting, minimizing Manila Bay reclamation projects
The China Coast Guard recently blocked and fired water cannons on Philippine vessels on a resupply mission to Ayungin — an incident condemned by Manila and its allies.
The Philippines summoned China’s ambassador and filed a diplomatic protest against Beijing over the water cannon incident. It was the 35th protest this year, and the 445th since 2020.
RELATED: PH tells China to stop illegal activities in WPS after water cannon incident
