Filtered By: Topstories
News

AFP warns on Chinese investment in key islands


The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Tuesday warned that plans by the government to allow Chinese investors to develop three tiny but strategic islands could "compromise" the country's security.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that President Rodrigo Duterte was aware of proposals for Grande and Chiquita islands at the mouth of Subic Bay, as well as the isolated northern island of Fuga in the Babuyan archipelago, but would not elaborate.

AFP spokesperson Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo said Tuesday the government should study the security implications of handing over the islands to foreign entities.

"There's no doubt that these island features has or have strategic security impacts on us if these were to fall into the hands of other people. They have a strategic importance for our defense," Arevalo told reporters.

"While we approve of our economy getting a boost... we should also consider the security aspect that may be compromised if we fail to adequately study the implications of leasing these to foreigners," Arevalo added.

The Philippine Navy had earlier expressed its concerns about the supposed investment by the Chinese in these islands. 

"We have learned lessons in the past na there were features that were not, dahil nga limitado capability natin, hindi natin nabantayan ng maayos and we are trying to avoid any similar situation na wala na tayong magagawa," Navy spokesman Captain Jonathan Zata said on Monday.

Duterte has overseen improved economic ties with China since being elected president in 2016, when he set aside a sovereignty dispute over islands and waters in the South China Sea that Beijing claims almost in its entirety.

This has led to a robust influx of Chinese investment in the Philippines, particularly in offshore gaming firms catering to China that have drawn several thousand Chinese workers to Metro Manila.

Apart from the islands, Arevalo said the military was "definitely alarmed" at the rise in the number of Chinese workers in the country, including "reports that tourists are taking pictures of our naval installations."

"We need to determine what is the real purpose of their presence here," the military official added.

Panelo stressed Tuesday that the island investments were "mere plans" at this time, adding it was the job of the military and defense establishments "to see if there is any security concern on any issue." — Agence France-Presse

LOADING CONTENT