The sand carrier Hong Hai 16, which capsized off the Philippines' Occidental Mindoro province on April 15, 2025. Nine of the vessel's 25-strong crew were killed in the incident. Philippine Coast Guard
Dredging

Philippine President Marcos orders probe into reported illegal dredging

Will Xavier

Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr has ordered that a thorough investigation be conducted to determine whether sand from the Philippines' coastal areas is being used illegally in a number of land reclamation projects undertaken by foreign companies.

Mr Marcos' order for an investigation came following the submission of intelligence reports stating that a number of Chinese companies have been conducting dredging and reclamation activities in Manila Bay and other coastal areas in the country.

The President also emphasised that any local officials who will be found to be partly responsible for the illegal dredging will be held accountable.

The Chinese-led dredging operations have drawn criticism from local fishers and environmental groups, which claimed that the activities have resulted in environmental damage and depletion of fish stocks in some of the northern provinces.

In provinces farther south such as Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, local officials claimed that dredging being carried out in coastal areas was for flood control.

Chinese-operated dredgers and dredging support vessels have been involved in a number of maritime accidents in Philippine waters. Some of these accidents have even resulted in loss of life.

On April 28, 2023, a Chinese-operated dredger registered to Sierra Leone collided with a tanker off Corregidor Island in Cavite province. The dredger later capsized and two of the crew were killed while three others have gone missing.

Earlier this year, the sand carrier Hong Hai 16 capsized off Occidental Mindoro. Nine of the vessel's 25-strong crew were killed.