Philippine envoy seeks talks on Subi Reef construction with China

Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago “Chito” Sta. Romana on Saturday hoped that the issue of construction at Subi Reef will be discussed with the Chinese government.

Sta. Romana’s statement came after he was asked about the latest images from tech firm Simulartity Inc. which showed construction activities and possible land reinforcement in the area.

“There will be diplomatic discussions that are being planned to discuss these issues of concern and we hope to bring this up as one of the issues with China” he said in a public briefing.

He said the Department of Foreign Affairs is already studying the reports and it will decide on these observations.

Sta. Romana also noted that these observations are just a continuation of an issue as the Philippine government has already protested against these constructions in Subi Reef.

The Philippines should observe a high degree of surveillance while they are trying to resolve the issue with China, the Philippine Ambassador to China added.

A Friday report on 24 Oras said that Simulartity Inc. observed construction activities and possible land reinforcement were being carried out in Subi Reef as early as November 2020 and as late as this month.

Recently, the Armed Forces of the Philippines confirmed that over 183 Chinese vessels remained moored off Juan Felipe Reef.

Sta. Romana said the Philippines should not panic over the presence of the Chinese vessels in the area, but the matter was concerning.

The Philippine Foreign Affairs Department had filed a new diplomatic protest with China on the matter.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana also appealed to China to pull its vessels out as the deployment was a breach of maritime rights and sovereignty. — DVM, GMA News