MANILA – Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan rejected China’s reported plan to declare Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal) a “nature reserve,” asserting the Philippines’ legal and historical rights over the territory.

“Una, hindi inyo yan. Sa lahat ng batas—domestic o international man, amin ‘yan. May karapatan ang Pilipinas sa Panatag Shoal,” Pangilinan said in a statement.

The senator emphasized that the shoal lies only 124 nautical miles (220 kilometers) from Zambales, well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, compared to 472 nautical miles (875 km) from China’s nearest coast in Hainan province.

“It has been illegally occupied since 2012,” Pangilinan added.

He also accused Chinese fishermen of destroying the marine environment in the area through large-scale harvesting of endangered giant clams, which involves crushing coral reefs. He said dredging and reclamation activities further damage marine ecosystems.

“Mga mangingisdang Tsino ang gumagawa ng malawakang pag-aani ng mga endangered giant clam. Para makuha ang mga tulya, sinisira at dinudurog niyo ang mga coral reef ng Panatag Shoal,” he said.

Pangilinan estimated that the environmental damage caused by China’s activities in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone runs into billions of pesos annually.

“Kaya bilang may-ari ng Panatag Shoal, eto ang mensahe natin sa China: Alis dyan!” he declared.