President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed authorities to investigate reports that Philippine sand used in West Philippine Sea reclamation projects is being supplied to China.
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro confirmed that the President immediately ordered a full inquiry upon receiving intelligence that coastal sand from the Philippines may have been utilized in China’s land reclamation activities in disputed territories.
Castro emphasized that any local government units found to be involved in illegal quarrying or complicit in supplying materials to foreign reclamation projects will be held accountable.
President Marcos has reportedly issued strict instructions to ensure that those responsible for the potential breach of national interest face legal consequences.
The controversy arose following a Senate hearing in which the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) revealed that sand from Philippine coastal zones has allegedly been used to expand artificial islands in the West Philippine Sea.