China’s militarization of PHL reefs seen in detailed pics

China continues to build military structures in artificial islands well within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, photos of Chinese airstrips and ports indicated.

According to Maki Pulido's report on "24 Oras", the detailed pictures courtesy of maritime security analyst Professor Rommel Banlaoi showed China's facilities on at least seven artificial islands.

Each island had piers large enough to dock massive battleships.

Apart from military aircraft spotted in on Panganiban or Mischief reef in February, three transport ships belonging to the Chinese Navy were also seen at the ports of the island.

Moreover, fighter jets could also land on runways visible on recent images of Mabini or Johnson reef, Kagitingan or Fiery Cross reef, and Zamora or Subi reef.

Photos also showed the successful installation of "hi-tech" radar and communication equipment, which experts say could be used in both air and sea battle.

Apart from an observation tower, a communication building, and a radome facility seen in Mabini reef, a multi-storey building taking up around 4,000 square meters had also been constructed on the other side of the artificial island.

Based on the photos, the report said surveillance equipment had also been installed on Gaven reef.

Out of all the Chinese outposts, Banlaoi said he was most concerned with the "highly-fortified" facilities constructed on Zamora Reef, which include a three-kilometer runway.

Banaloi said that Zamora reef was a short distance from the Pag-asa island occupied by the Philippines. They were so close together that the Chinese structures could be seen from the Pag-asa island.

"With that kind of facility, China can even pressure our occupants in Pag-asa island to leave if things get worse in the area," Banaloi said.

Security expert Professor Jay Batongbacal said he didn't see China putting an end to their expansion of maritime power in the South China Sea.

"We might be there but...it's only going to be token presence. And they might find it more and more difficult to maintian that as time goes on," Batongabcal said.

Batongbacal said the landing of a Chinese cargo plane on Mischief reef in February could be an indication that some of the outposts were already operational.

"Eventually, we could actually see a more serious operations like fighter aircraft or bomber aircraft, military aircraft, basically. So the next question is: When will they be there, more or less, on a permanent basis?" Batongbacal said.

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and other lawmakers have urged Philippine security officials to act on the apparent militarization after it was reported that two Xian Y-7 military planes were photographed in a runway on Mischief reef.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said the military had yet to confirm the presence of military planes before the Philippines takes "diplomatic action."

"We have to take it into context of how the dialogues are being done now. But we'll make sure that our claims are on record," he said. —Margaret Claire Layug/NB, GMA News