The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Monday that Chinese maritime militia ships were responsible for the “severe damage” on coral reefs within Philippine territorial waters in the South China Sea. This follows a report by the Philippine military accusing Chinese militia of destroying corals in the seabed of Rozul Reef (also known as Iroquois Reef) and Escoda Shoal, which are within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The PCG backed the military’s report and said it observed an average presence of 33 Chinese maritime militia vessels in Iroquois Reef and 15 other vessels in Escoda Shoal between Aug. 9 and Sept. 11. During that period, the PCG conducted extensive underwater surveys of the seabed, and the results showed that the marine ecosystem there “appeared lifeless, with minimal to no signs of life.”...Read more https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/philippines-accuses-chinese-maritime-militia-of-severely-damaging-coral-reef-5494190