China rapidly develops South China Sea reefs as the PHL lags

The Philippines was lagging behind other countries in the "occupied areas" and in the reef-building activities in the contested West Philippine Sea, GMA 7 news program "Saksi" reported on Tuesday.

There were no significant changes in the territories occupied by the Philippines, especially in Pag-asa Island and its runway.

In contrast, photos from the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) displayed how China now occupied larger territories which had ports and piers, and which were equipped with military weaponry.

Vietnam had also been engaged in reclamation activities and had built facilities in 21 locations and 49 outposts in various areas.

Malaysia had developed the areas it occupied, while Taiwan had a runway and a wharf built in 2015.

According to maritime law expert Jay Batongbacal, the Philippine government needed to immediately act on the repairs needed at the Pag-asa Island runway.

"Mukhang everything is being held back dahil nga doon sa pakikitungo natin sa China. Samantalang sa China tuloy-tuloy 'yung development nila," Batongbacal pointed out.

"Ayaw nilang... itong issue sa West Philippine Sea, sa South China Sea, ay maging balakid doon sa pagpasok nga nitong Chinese infrastructure and development assistance. 'Yun talaga ang kapalit."

Strengthened grip

The Duterte administration had insisted that it was not "giving up" on Philippines' territorial sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea. Nevertheless, the government wanted to keep a warm relationship with China.

China meanwhile had strengthened it grip on the areas it held in the West Philippine Sea, having installed anti-ship cruise missiles and surface-to-air missile systems on the Fiery Cross (Kagitingan), Subi (Zamora), and Mischief (Panganiban) Reefs in the Spratly Islands.

As to whether President Rodrigo Duterte would ask China to remove the missiles, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque replied, "Well alam mo po I guess anything is possible. But in the realm of possibility, do you think China will comply?"

The United States had also expressed concerns over the militarization of the South China Sea.

But, Roque said Duterte did not want the Philippines to be involved in any "armed confrontation" between the US and China.

"The president reiterated his policy with China which is not new," Roque explained. "It is not to our national interest to get involved to any armed conflict. Although any such armed conflict is a reason for us to be concerned because it is in our exclusive economic zone." — Anna Felicia Bajo/DVM, GMA News