GEOLOGISTS and environmental scientists collectively condemned the acts of intimidation and harassment made by the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) on a Taiwanese vessel conducting research with Filipino scientists in the West Philippine Sea last March.

In a statement, the Geological Society of the Philippines (GSP) and the Philippine Environmental Science Association (PESA) said such actions by the CCG impacts the confidence and sense of safety of researchers, both local and foreign. It 'limits our opportunities to better our understanding of our environment, the resources therein, and the hazards that we may be exposed to.'