China Harvests Giant Calms in Philippines Waters

Philippine authorities are unaware of the existence of giant clams in Scarborough Shoal, which China has been reportedly harvesting. An official tweeted that the government is letting endangered species be poached under their very noses.

However, Philippines Foreign Affairs secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. defended the government saying they had no idea there were clams. "No, that's no true. We had no idea there were clams there and really I will not let this country go down to war or lose a useful economic partner, just over environmental concerns for a world I care nothing about. I care only for my people and country." Locsin said the Philippines had protested China's extraction of giant clams on Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. He stressed that he refused to get into scuba gear and wrap his arms around clams.

The Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) director Gregory Poling argued that Chinese poachers have been destroying coral reef while harvesting clams from Scarborough. Poling warned that these activities affect the livelihoods and food security of coastal communities, including the Philippines.