MANILA, Philippines — While public attention remains fixed on sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea, a marine expert warned that the country may be overlooking an equally urgent threat—the rapid degradation of its marine ecosystems. Dr. Deo Onda, of the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute, highlighted this point during a roundtable discussion on Thursday, noting that tensions in the region have “pulled us away” from other security threats the country faces. “If you look at many of the responses that we have in the West Philippine Sea, it’s very much strategic, military-based, or political in a way. […]... Keep on reading: Experts warn of rapid marine ecosystem decline amid focus on WPS issues