Coral reefs in Pag-asa Reef 1 have sustained environmental damage due to the grounding of a Chinese ship there last month, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) said Monday. In a statement expressing concern over the incident, NTF-WPS said the Chinese vessel with bow number 16868 remained grounded in the area for nearly three hours before it managed to free itself without assistance. “It was later accompanied out of the area by the China Coast Guard (CCG) and two other Chinese vessels,” NTF-WPS said.

Pag-asa reefs damaged by grounded Chinese ship. (2025, July 15). The Manila Times, p. A3.