“Respondents have failed to perform their duties [in enforcing] environmental laws and regulations,” read the petition. Among the environmental laws cited are the Fisheries Code and several environmental issuances. The petition was filed in time with reports that Chinese ships have been harvesting giant clams in the Scarborough Shoal. Clearly, the damage is brought upon by the lack of enforcement of Philippine environmental laws by respondents,” the petitioners said. The Scarborough Shoal, on the other hand, is part of the EEZ under Republic Act 9522 to the Philippine Baselines Law.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer April 16, 2019 10:29 UTC