True or not, a report that Chinese ships have not only been intruding into the West Philippine Sea but have also been dumping raw sewage into the waters in the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) has angered lawmakers. “China treating us as its toilet is a clear violation of both international and local environmental laws,” Sen. Grace Poe said on Tuesday. “We can only hope that this comes as a wake-up call to the administration on the stinking reality that China gives no respect to international law, whether it be our territorial or environmental rights,” Poe said. The Chinese Embassy has not responded to a request for comment from the Inquirer. Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Tuesday dismissed the report as “fake news” on Twitter.

Gascon, M., Corrales, N., Mangosing, F., Santos, T. G., Andrade, J. I., & Enano, J. O. (2021, July 14). Reported Chinese waste dumping in EEZ angers lawmakers. Philippine Daily Inquirer, pp. A2, A4.