The protection of the marine ecosystem in the disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) is a top concern of the government, Malacañang said on Sunday, days after the Supreme Court issued a writ to protect several areas there. The high court on Friday issued the writ of kalikasan to protect, preserve, rehabilitate and restore the marine environment in Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal, Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, and Panganiban (Mischief) Reef. The petitioners said the Duterte government’s failure to stop Chinese activities in the areas was in violation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna, the Philippine Fisheries Code, and Presidential Decree 1586, establishing the Environmental Impact Statement System in the Philippines.

Villanueva, R. U. (2019, May 6). Protection of ecosystem top govt concern – Palace. The Manila Times, pp. A1, A2.