President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has ordered a thorough investigation into China’s alleged dredging activities in the Philippines, following reports that sand extracted from several coastal towns was used in Beijing’s reclamation projects in disputed areas of the West Philippine Sea.

The directive comes as the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) confirmed it is monitoring Chinese operations across various parts of the country, including large-scale dredging activities that have raised both environmental and national security concerns.

At a Senate hearing on May 5, NICA’s deputy director general Francisco Ashley Acedillo revealed that the agency received reports indicating that sand from coastal municipalities in the Philippines had been extracted and transported to the West Philippine Sea for use in Chinese land reclamation. Some of these reclaimed areas are located in maritime zones also claimed by the Philippines.

“There were earlier reports that sand taken directly from our own coastal areas was being used as landfill, reportedly even in some of our disputed territories,” Acedillo told the Senate Special Committee on Philippine Maritime and Admiralty Zones.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro, speaking at a press briefing on May 6, confirmed that the president acted promptly upon learning of the situation.

“After receiving that information, the President ordered a thorough investigation. The investigation is ongoing and once a conclusion is reached, appropriate action will be taken immediately. This is in accordance with the possible results of the investigation,” Castro said in Filipino.

The probe also seeks to determine whether local government officials were complicit or negligent in allowing the reported sand extraction to take place. “If someone should be held accountable, they should be held accountable,” the presidential spokesperson added. 

The NICA is looking into the possibility that members of China’s People’s Liberation Army may have been involved in dredging operations along Philippine shores. The agency is also reportedly investigating Chinese firms conducting reclamation work in areas such as Manila Bay.

Ecological devastation in Cagayan

One of the most scrutinized projects is the Cagayan River Restoration Project, launched in 2021 under the Duterte administration.

In Cagayan province, massive Chinese-led dredging along the Cagayan River has drawn backlash from environmental advocates and local fishing communities. Residents of Aparri and nearby towns report that the operations have led to significant ecological damage and a steep decline in fish stocks, disrupting traditional livelihoods.

Lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc have filed a resolution urging an urgent congressional investigation into the environmental and economic impact of the Chinese-led operations, citing widespread disruption to local communities and marine ecosystems.

“Daily earnings reportedly dropped from P7,000 – P9,000 to as low as P900,” states House Resolution No. 2278, filed on May 6 by Representatives Arlene Brosas (Gabriela), France Castro (ACT Teachers), and Raoul Manuel (Kabataan).

The resolution describes the project as involving “environmentally destructive and exploitative activities” and calls attention to a broader pattern of Chinese ventures allegedly threatening ecosystems and livelihoods across the country.

“While the dredging was suspended in 2023, its ecological aftermath continues to cripple the livelihoods of coastal communities, with no substantial rehabilitation or compensation provided to date,” the resolution stated.

Coastal resistance and reclamation in Manila Bay

In Navotas, fisherfolk and environmental groups staged a coastal protest on May 3 to demand the cancellation of ongoing reclamation projects in Manila Bay. The demonstration came just days after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) released a Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) warning that further reclamation could worsen flooding, biodiversity loss, and public health risks.

PAMALAKAYA, the fisherfolk alliance behind the protest, said in a Facebook post that the demolition of hundreds of mussel farms (tahungan) has devastated the local fishing industry. According to the group, residents suspect the demolition was linked to the 650-hectare Navotas Coastal Bay Reclamation Project, a joint venture between the local government and Argonbay Construction Company, a subsidiary of San Miguel Corporation.

“We are already feeling the effects of reclamation, like massive and prolonged flooding during typhoons and the loss of our livelihood. This must not continue,” the group said in Filipino.

“What we need is not landfilling the sea, but genuine rehabilitation and recognition of our fishing rights,” said Romel Escarial of PAMALAKAYA-Navotas.

The group urged DENR to move beyond its CIA findings and immediately revoke the 22 reclamation projects currently approved in Manila Bay.

Espionage fears and Chinese influence operations

Alongside concerns over natural resource exploitation, allegations of Chinese interference through influence operations have also sparked national alarm.

Cagayan de Oro’s Representative Rufus Rodriguez voiced support for Senator Francis Tolentino’s plan to pursue treason and espionage charges against Filipino officers and directors of Infinitus Marketing Solutions, a Makati-based PR firm allegedly contracted by the Chinese Embassy.

“I support the plan. Senator Tolentino should go ahead with it. Filipinos contracted by China to work against our national interest have betrayed their country, and that is treason,” Rodriguez said in a statement on May 7, citing the Revised Penal Code and the National Security Act.

Earlier, Tolentino, chair of the Senate maritime zones committee, claimed the company received P900,000 (US$16,190) from the Chinese Embassy to hire “keyboard warriors” tasked with disseminating pro-China and anti-Philippine propaganda online. 

Although the company’s founder, Paul Li, denied the existence of a formal contract, he admitted during the Senate hearing that a check from the Chinese Embassy was issued to his firm.

Meanwhile, Senator JV Ejercito welcomed the president’s directive and called for intensified monitoring of Chinese activities, not only in the West Philippine Sea but also in domestic waters such as Manila Bay.

“This is a welcome move from PBBM (President “Bongbong” Marcos). During the Senate hearing last Monday, we emphasized the possibility that there are Chinese agents or intelligence operatives among the numerous dredgers in Manila Bay. We want to know what actions the agencies have taken. We might be too focused on the West Philippine Sea, yet something’s already happening in Manila Bay,” Ejercito warned in a Facebook post on May 8. 

The senator earlier criticized what he described as a lack of follow-through from agencies despite past hearings on espionage and alleged deployments of Chinese submersible drones.

“We expect agencies to do more than attend hearings. They must present clear findings and take swift action to safeguard our national security from foreign interference,” he said.

Photo credit: Presidential Communications Office. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.