Several pieces of trash with Chinese markings were discovered along the coastline of Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea, raising concerns over the potential harm to the island’s marine life.
Bottles and beverage cartons were found washed up on the shores of the island.
Additionally, twelve Chinese maritime militia vessels and one China Coast Guard ship were reportedly stationed just 4 nautical miles from Pag-asa Island.
Marilou Vales, coordinator of Pag-asa Island, stated that they have been conducting coastal cleanups twice a month due to the increasing waste problem.
In their most recent cleanup event in September, locals collected 36 sacks of trash in just two hours, with most of the debris believed to have originated from Chinese vessels.