Analyst Heydarian’s take on China’s missiles in PHL reefs in South China Sea

GMA resident analyst Richard Heydarian on Monday called China's installation of missile systems in three Philippine reefs in the disputed South China Sea a "betrayal of trust."

In a News To Go interview, Heydarian underscored that China's action was clearly a violation of its promise last year that it would not "militarize" areas in the contested region.

Heydarian said with the installation of anti-ship cruise missiles and surface-to-air missile systems on Fiery Cross Reef, Subi Reef and Mischief Reef gave China the capacity to impose an "air defense identification zone."

This, he said, could "jam and harass" the Philippines' own defense systems.

Heydarian said China had become "too ambitious," knowing that the Philippines would not resists its militarization of the area.

He added that the Duterte administration engagement with China had yet to not result in a "desirable" outcome for the Philippines. —NB, GMA News