CORAL reefs near Pag-asa Reef 1 sustained environmental damage after a Chinese vessel ran aground in the area last month, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) reported Monday.
According to the task force, the vessel with bow number 16868 was grounded for nearly three hours on June 7 before freeing itself without assistance. It was later escorted out of the area by the China Coast Guard and two other Chinese ships.
Though the vessel did not directly hit the reef, its anchoring caused significant damage to the surrounding coral ecosystem. Pag-asa Reef 1 is located just 2.6 kilometers east of Pag-asa Island.
The incident occurred amid the increasing presence of Chinese maritime militia and coast guard vessels in Philippine waters.
NTF-WPS emphasized the importance of local vigilance, crediting a fisherfolk’s report for alerting authorities. It expressed full support for reef rehabilitation measures and enforcement of environmental laws, vowing continued protection of marine resources and the communities that depend on them.