Residents of Barangay San Rafael in San Felipe, Zambales reported the presence of a Chinese ship conducting dredging operations near the coast. Such operations has been a long-standing complaint among locals due to its destructive impact on the marine environment, noise pollution, and other harmful effects on the community. Residents said the sand being excavated is intended for reclamation projects in Manila Bay near Pasay City (such as the Pasay Harbor Reclamation Project and SM Smart City Reclamation Project) and Bulacan (Aerotropolis).

The local government of Zambales permitted dredging operations by China Harbour Engineering Company, a subsidiary of China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), which is a publicly listed Chinese firm involved in building military facilities in the South China Sea that overlaps with the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. Local officials led by provincial governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. facilitated this approval.

“Fisherfolk have long protested the severe effects of dredging on their livelihoods. Fish catch dropped due to the destruction of various marine resources. Ronnel Arambulo, Pamalakaya vice president and a Makabayan senatorial candidate, stated after consulting with local fisherfolk.

“The government’s approval of this operation is infuriating given the proven detrimental effects of dredging and reclamation on the environment and the livelihoods of fisherfolk,” the group said.

Arambulo called for an immediate halt to dredging in Zambales and urged swift action for the rehabilitation of damaged fishing grounds. He also demanded an end to all reclamation projects in Manila Bay.