Palace: No “gov’t inaction” as claimed in Panganiban Reef, Ayungin and Scarborough Shoals

(Eagle News)–The Palace on Saturday, May 4, denied there was “government inaction” with respect to the implementation of environmental laws in Philippine areas that are also being claimed by China.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo issued the statement after the Supreme Court granted the prayer of the Kalayaan Palawan Farmers and Fisherfolk Association for a writ of kalikasan, which had cited the government’s alleged neglect in protecting the marine environment in Panganiban Reef, and Ayungin and Panganiban Shoals.

The group had noted the Chinese were using cyanide and dynamite and harvesting endangered species in Scarborough and Ayungin Shoals, and doing construction work in Panganiban Reef.

According to Panelo, the Philippine Coast Guard and other concerned agencies “are performing their task in securing the subject of the writ.”

He said the government “undertook protective measures” in those areas “even as we are consciously cautious not to perform provocative acts that may trigger armed hostilities between the contesting countries which may risk the lives of our countrymen and cost irreparable damage to our land.”

The Philippines, he said, has also filed  “a series of diplomatic protests.”

“We stress that the essence of such writ of kalikasan, which is the protection of the marine ecosystem of the West Philippine Sea is already a top concern and agenda of the government,” he said.