The United States – through its top diplomat in the Philippines – has expressed alarm over the destruction of corals in the Rozul Shoal near Palawan, widely believed to have been perpetrated by the Chinese. “Troubling @CoastGuardPH and @TeamWESCOM reports on coral destruction around Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal. Habitat damage harms ecosystems and negatively affects lives and livelihoods,” US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson said yesterday in a post on social media platform X. “We are working with our #FriendsPartnersAllies to protect Philippines natural resources,” she said. On Saturday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command reported the plunder of corals in Rozul Reef, with the Chinese suspected to be behind it.

Lee-Brago, P., Punongbayan, M., Romero, A., & Macairan, E. (2023, September 20). US alarmed by coral destruction in WPS. The Philippine Star, pp. 1, 6.