The Department of National Defense ordered the military to strengthen its presence in the West Philippine Sea, this after China’s alleged activities in the “unoccupied” features in the Spratly Islands claimed by Manila.
It was only Tuesday when the Department of Foreign Affairs said they were deeply concerned by the news that China is reportedly building infrastructure in Lankiam Cay, Eldad Reef, Whitsun Reef and Sandy Cay near Pag-Asa Island. China denied this.
“Any encroachment in the West Philippine Sea or reclamation on the features therein is a threat to the security of Pag-asa Island, which is part of Philippine sovereign territory,” according to the DND, Thursday, which was reported by the state media.
“It also endangers the marine environment, and undermines the stability of the region.”
Lankiam Cay is the “smallest” of the naturally occurring Spratly Islands, which the Philippines administers as part of Kalayaan, Palawan. Whitsun Reef, also called Julian Felipe Reef, is also considered by the Philippines as part of its EEZ.
The West Philippine Sea is the part of the South China Sea that is within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, where only Filipinos have the right to explore, use, protect, and so on the natural resources of the area.
AFP to strengthen West Philippine Sea presence after Chinese ‘reclamation’
This position was upheld by the Permanent Court of Arbitration under the United Nations in 2016, which dismissed Beijing’s nine-dash line claim.
Despite this, China insists that such areas are still theirs, which is why they still occupy and control some features in the Spratlys and other disputed areas in the South China Sea.
It was only Tuesday when Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said that the reports released by Bloomberg and Western officials on the Spratlys are untrue, especially since China’s relationship with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is good.
“The Bloomberg report is completely untrue. Refraining from action on the presently uninhabited islands and reefs of the Nansha Islands is a serious common understanding reached by China and ASEAN countries in the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and China always strictly abides by it,” he said.
“The growth of China-Philippines relations currently enjoys sound momentum, and the two sides will continue to properly handle maritime issues through friendly consultations.”
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